decemvir

[ dih-sem-ver ]

noun

, plural de·cem·virs, de·cem·vi·ri [dih-, sem, -v, uh, -rahy].

1. a member of a permanent board or a special commission of ten members in ancient Rome, especially the commission that drew up Rome's first code of law.
2. a member of any council or ruling body of ten.

decemvir

/ dɪˈsɛmvə /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a member of a board of ten magistrates, esp either of the two commissions established in 451 and 450 bc to revise the laws
2. a member of any governing body composed of ten men

Derived Forms

• deˈcemviral, adjective

Other Words From

• de·cemvi·ral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decemvir¹

1570–80; < Latin, originally plural decemvirī, equivalent to decem ten + virī men

Word History and Origins

Origin of decemvir¹

C17: from Latin, from decem ten + virī men

Example Sentences

He was soon, however, recalled to Rome by Trajan, and appointed to the offices of decemvir stlitibus judicandis, praefectus feriarum Latinarum, and sevir turmae equitum Romanorum.

From Project Gutenberg

Decemvir, de-sem′vir, n. one of ten magistrates who at one time had absolute power in ancient Rome:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

Virginius had returned to the camp, where the soldiers, having heard of the fall of the decemvir, proceeded to hit him, as usual, when down, renouncing the authority of Appius and his colleagues.

From Project Gutenberg

Icilius faces the Chief Decemvir with blazing eyes, and draws Virginia closer.

From Project Gutenberg

The ambition and lawless passions of the chief Decemvir had rendered it necessary for him and his colleagues to abdicate their authority before they had settled with sufficient precision how their enactments were to be put in practice or enforced.

From Project Gutenberg