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decurion

American  
[dih-kyoor-ee-uhn] / dɪˈkjʊər i ən /

noun

Roman History.
  1. the head of a decury.

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


decurion British  
/ dɪˈkjʊərɪən /

noun

  1. a local councillor

  2. the commander of a troop of ten cavalrymen

"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 decurion

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

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.

He was born, son of a Roman decurion, in 387 A. D. in Kilpatrick.

From Time Magazine Archive

Again, he took census of the fighting-men of Judea, by the Roman statistics which he had from the decurion, and searched through his tunic for his wallet to write down the result.

From The City of Delight A Love Drama of the Siege and Fall of Jerusalem by Leyendecker, Frank X.

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

From The Wonders of Pompeii by Monnier, Marc

"Take away your men!" he shouted to the decurion.

From The City of Delight A Love Drama of the Siege and Fall of Jerusalem by Leyendecker, Frank X.

"Numidians!" exclaimed the decurion, following his finger with his speech, while the veins in Hostilius' forehead began to swell and grow dark.

From The Lion's Brood by Osborne, Duffield

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