decemvirate

American  

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

noun

1. a board or group of decemvirs.

2. the office or government of decemvirs.

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decemvirate British  

/ dɪˈsɛmvɪrɪt, -ˌreɪt /

noun

1. a board of decemvirs

2. the rule or rank of decemvirs

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Etymology

Origin of decemvirate

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decemvirate

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 Charles Morris

Another thing which greatly hurts a government is to keep alive bitter feelings in men's minds by often renewed attacks on individuals, as was done in Rome after the decemvirate was put an end to.

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

Jacobs understands the word decemvirate not to refer to any positive form of government, but generally to designate a tyranny, such as that which the Lacedaemonians used to introduce into conquered cities.

From The Olynthiacs and the Phillippics of Demosthenes Literally translated with notes by Charles Rann Kennedy

When, on the appointment of the decemvirate, it seemed to the commons that Appius had become favourable to their cause, and was ready to attack the nobles, they inclined to support him.

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

On the whole we may put the great period of the college between the decemvirate and the war with Hannibal.

From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by W. Warde Fowler