decemvir

American  

[dih-sem-ver] / dɪˈsɛm vər /

noun

plural

decemvirs, decemviri

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.

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decemvir British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• decemviral adjective

Etymology

Origin of decemvir

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

Example Sentences

Could he be a decemvir, he could also be a consul.

From Public Lands and Agrarian Laws of the Roman Republic by Stephenson, Andrew

Caius Valerius Laetorius was created decemvir for the performance of sacred rites, in the room of Quintus Mucius Scaevola, deceased.

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

For this man, formerly distinguished at home and abroad, had been so altered by his office of decemvir and the influence of his colleagues that he chose rather to be like Appius than like himself.

From Roman History, Books I-III by Livius, Titus

To the Aventine, and thence to the Mons Sacer, through the tyranny of Appius Claudius, the decemvir; Liv. iii.

From Conspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine War by Watson, John Selby

The great man at Rome during the period of the Samnite wars was Appius Claudius—great grandson of the decemvir, and the proudest aristocrat that had yet appeared.

From Ancient States and Empires by Lord, John