duumvir

American  

[doo-uhm-ver, dyoo-] / duˈʌm vər, dyu- /

noun

Roman History.

plural

duumvirs, duumviri

1. one of two officers or magistrates jointly exercising the same public function.

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duumvir British  

/ djuːˈʌmvə /

noun

1. Roman history one of two coequal magistrates or officers

2. either of two men who exercise a joint authority

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Etymology

Origin of duumvir

1590–1600; < Latin, back formation from duumvirōrum, genitive plural of duovirī two men, equivalent to duo- duo- + virī, plural of vir man, cognate with Old English wer ( see werewolf)

Example Sentences

Another conclusion which might be of importance was beginning to formulate itself in the shrewd mind of the emissary; between Messala and the son of the duumvir there was a connection of some kind.

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis

This is generally interpreted as meaning that Apuleius himself had become duumvir.

From The Apologia and Florida of Apuleius of Madaura by Butler, Harold Edgeworth

Caius Servilius, duumvir, also dedicated a temple of Jupiter, in the island.

From The History of Rome, Books 27 to 36 by Livius, Titus

A duumvir of the place had a daughter whom he had turned out of his house for receiving baptism, and who had taken refuge at Vacca.

From Callista : a Tale of the Third Century by Newman, John Henry

The duumvir is discreet; what I am to do, where go to find my fleet, he will tell on the ship, where a sealed package is waiting me.

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis