duumvir

American  

[doo-uhm-ver, dyoo-] / duˈʌm vər, dyu- /

noun

Roman History.

plural

duumvirs, duumviri

1. one of two officers or magistrates jointly exercising the same public function.

---

duumvir British  

/ djuːˈʌmvə /

noun

1. Roman history one of two coequal magistrates or officers

2. either of two men who exercise a joint authority

---

Etymology

Origin of duumvir

1590–1600; < Latin, back formation from duumvirōrum, genitive plural of duovirī two men, equivalent to duo- duo- + virī, plural of vir man, cognate with Old English wer ( see werewolf)

Example Sentences

Sometimes it is an elector, sometimes a group of citizens, then again a corporation of artisans or tradesmen, who are recommending for the office of ædile or duumvir the candidate whom they prefer.

From The Wonders of Pompeii by Monnier, Marc

One of the Pompeian inscriptions announces that the duumvir C. Cuspius Pansa had been appointed to superintend the public shows and see to the observance of the Petronian law.

From The Wonders of Pompeii by Monnier, Marc

"When the two were lifted to the deck, the duumvir was in his tribune's armor, and the other in the vesture of a rower."

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis

Malluch lingered to say, quickly, "The duumvir was a Roman, yet I see his son in the garments of a Jew."

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis

Certain red letters on the walls were announcements of elections to be held in the beginning of that era,—candidates for aedile or duumvir who were recommended to the Pompeiian voters.

From Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) A Novel by Jordan, Charlotte Brewster