CAIMACAN, or KAIMACAM, a dignity in the Ottoman empire, answering to lieutenant, or rather deputy, amongst us. There are usually two caimacans, one residing at Constantinople as the governor; the other attending the grand vizir in quality of lieutenant; and sometimes there is a third caimacan. Among the Tartars of the Crimea, the caimacan acts as the deputy of the khan during his absence.