Chiefly Sc. Also 5 -ten(n)and, 6 -tenent, sibtennend, 6–7 -tennent, 7 -tennant. [SUB- 9 (b). In med.L. subtenens.] One who holds of a tenant; an undertenant.
1445. in 14th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. III. 12. Twenty schillingis … to be pait to me be the Saide Androu Kere or his facturis or subtenandis.
1474. in Acc. Fam. of Innes (Spalding Cl.), 81. To be haldin and had all and hale the saidis landis … to the foresaid James his airis assigneis and subtennandis for al the termis of threttein yeris.
1541. Rec. Elgin (New Spalding Cl., 1903), I. 66. Tha that ar sibtennendis to the burgh for the landis of Duuellegrene.
1586. in Exch. Rolls Scot., XXI. 418. Sett in assedatioun for the space of fyve yeiris … to Uthrid Makdowell of Garthland, his airis, assignais, and subtennentis.
1681. Stair, Inst. Law Scot., I. xix. § 23. 385. Where the Sub-tennent was warned, tacite Ralocation alledged by the Sub-tennent, was not sustained without producing a standing Tack to the principal Tacks-man.
1793. in M. A. Mills, Stat. Laws I. of Man (1841), 175. The said Tennants and Inhabittants dwelling in and possessing those Cottages and Intacks shall henceforward become Subtennants to the said Farmers, Tennants, and other Persons.
1846. M’Culloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), II. 215. Sub-tenants or assignees to the leases specified in the article immediately preceding … can also vote.
1861. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., x. 136. There were smaller owners or sub-tenants, holding of the eleven thanes, as these held of the Crown.
b. fig.
1804. Bewick, Brit. Birds, II. Introd. p. vi. They [sc. land birds] are the subtenants of the cultivated world.
