an officer who supplies the place and discharges the office of a superior in his absence. Of these, some are civil, as the lords-lieutenants of kingdoms, and the lord-lieutenants of counties; and others are military, as the lieutenant general, lieutenant-general of the artillery, lieutenant colonel, lieutenant of the artillery of the tower, lieutenants of horse, foot, ships of war, &c.

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, is properly a viceroy, and has all the state and grandeur of a king of England, except being served upon the knee. He has the power of making war and peace, of bestowing all the offices under the government, of dubbing knights, and of pardoning all crimes except high treason; he also calls and prorogues the parliament, but no bill can pass without the royal assent. He is assisted in his government by a privy council; and, on his leaving the kingdom, he appoints the lords of the regency, who govern in his absence.

Lords Lieutenants of counties, are officers, who, upon any invasion or rebellion, have power to raise the militia, and to give commissions to colonels and other officers, to arm and form them into regiments, troops and companies. Under the lords lieutenants, are deputy-lieutenants, who have the same power; these are chosen by the lords lieutenants out of the principal gentlemen of each county, and presented to the king for his approbation.

Lieutenant-General, is an officer next in rank to the general; in battle, he commands one of the wings; in a march, a detachment, or a flying camp; also a quarter, at a siege, or one of the attacks, when it is his day of duty.

Life, is peculiarly used to denote the animated state of living creatures, or the time that the union of their soul and body lasts.

Liferent, in Scots law. When the use or enjoyment of a subject is given to a person during his life, it is said to belong to him in liferent. See Law, Tit. xvi. 21.