decuman

[ dek-yoo-muh n ]

/ ˈdɛk yʊ mən /

adjective

large or immense, as a wave.

(in ancient Rome) of or relating to the tenth cohort of a legion.

noun

Also called decuman gate. (in ancient Rome) the main gate of a military camp, facing away from the enemy and near which the tenth cohort of the legion was usually stationed.

Nearby words

decubitus calculus, decubitus paralysis, decubitus ulcer, deculturate, deculture, decuman, decumbent, decuple, decurion, decurrent, decurrently

Origin of decuman

1650–60; < Latin decumānus, decimānus of the tenth, large, equivalent to decim(us) tenth (see decimate) + -ānus -an

Examples from the Web for decuman

These three Decuman streets are the arteries of ancient Naples.
Naples Past and Present|Arthur H. Norway
Without halting, they rush toward the Decuman gate, and attempt to enter the camp.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 2 of 2|Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.