decurion

[ dih-kyoor-ee-uhn ]

noun

, Roman History.

1. the head of a decury.
2. a member of the senate of an ancient Roman colony or municipality.

decurion

/ dɪˈkjʊərɪən /

noun

1. a local councillor
2. the commander of a troop of ten cavalrymen

Word History and Origins

Origin of decurion¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin decuriōn- (stem of decuriō ), equivalent to decuri ( a ) a division of ten ( dec ( em ) ten + -uria -ure ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of decurion¹

C14: from Latin decuriō, from decuria company of ten, from decem ten

Example Sentences

At last he stirred slightly, and the decurion turned and looked down.

From Project Gutenberg

Cicero said that it was easier to be a Senator at Rome than a decurion at Pompeii.

From Project Gutenberg

The five-mile race was over, and had been won as usual by Decurion Brennus, the crack long-distance champion of the Herculians.

From Project Gutenberg

In a moment the boy sprang into the decurion's way so suddenly that the soldier almost fell over him.

From Project Gutenberg

The decurion in charge of the squad brought up his gray horse with such suddenness that the animal's feet slid in the gravel.

From Project Gutenberg