Tenant
/ˈtɛn.ənt/noun
A person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.
Did you know?The term 'tenant' originally referred to someone who held land in exchange for service, invoking a binding relationship steeped in feudal obligations and loyalty.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tenere
“to hold or keep, establishing the concept of possession.”
Old French
Old French
tenant
“one who holds or occupies land.”
14th Century
Middle English
tenant
“a person characterized by holding land or property.”
Modern English
English
tenant
“a term signifying an individual renting or leasing property.”