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decemvirate

American  
[dih-sem-ver-it, -vuh-reyt] / dɪˈsɛm vər ɪt, -vəˌreɪt /

noun

  1. a board or group of decemvirs.

  2. the office or government of decemvirs.


decemvirate British  
/ -ˌreɪt, dɪˈsɛmvɪrɪt /

noun

  1. a board of decemvirs

  2. the rule or rank of decemvirs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of decemvirate

From the Latin word decemvirātus, dating back to 1610–20. See decemvir, -ate 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Of the decemvirate Servius Oppius and Appius Claudius remained at home: the other eight set out against the enemy.

From Dio's Rome, Volume 1 (of 6) An Historical Narrative Originally Composed in Greek during the Reigns of Septimius Severus, Geta and Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus: and Now Presented in English Form by Dio, Cassius

At the end of the first year, the task of the board was quite far from being finished, so a new decemvirate was elected to complete the work.

From General History for Colleges and High Schools by Myers, Philip Van Ness

In this matter of the decemvirate we may likewise note the ease wherewith men become corrupted, and how completely, although born good and well brought up, they change their nature.

From Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius by Thomson, Ninian Hill

The decemvirate, one of the triumphs of the plebs, could hardly have been abolished by that body, but would naturally have been overthrown by the patricians.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

When the second year of the decemvirate expired, Appius and his colleagues, knowing that they could not be elected again, showed no intention of yielding up their authority.

From Historic Tales, Volume 11 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Morris, Charles

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