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.

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duumvir British  

/ djuːˈʌmvə /

noun

1. Roman history one of two coequal magistrates or officers

2. either of two men who exercise a joint authority

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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 ( werewolf )

Example Sentences

Ben-Hur listened a moment, then completed the introduction by laying his hand upon the man's arm, and saying, "I am the son of Arrius, the duumvir, and thou?"

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

The central temple is believed to be that of Piety, built by M. Acilius Glabrio, the duumvir, in B.C.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

The passenger is the agent going to dispose of the estate derived from Arrius the duumvir.

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

On the hillside stood a Temple of Mars, vowed in the Gallic war, and dedicated by T. Quinctius the "duumvir sacris faciundis," in B.C.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.