decemvirate
Americannoun
-
a board or group of decemvirs.
-
the office or government of decemvirs.
noun
-
a board of decemvirs
-
the rule or rank of decemvirs
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.
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
The decemvirate instituted at Rome; the Twelve Tables of law framed.
From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 02 (From the Rise of Greece to the Christian Era) by Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis)
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
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
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 Thomson, Ninian Hill
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
