The Collaborative International Dictionary
Decemvir \De*cem"vir\ (d[-e]*s[e^]m"v[~e]r), n.; pl. E. Decemvirs, L. Decemviri. [L., fr. decem ten + vir a man.]
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One of a body of ten magistrates in ancient Rome.
Note: The title of decemvirs was given to various bodies of Roman magistrates. The most celebrated decemvirs framed ``the laws of the Twelve Tables,'' about 450 B. C., and had absolute authority for three years.
A member of any body of ten men in authority.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of decemvir English)
WordNet
See decemvir
Wikipedia
Decemviri (plural) is a Latin term meaning ten (decem) men (viri). The ancient Romans used it to designate any ten-man commission during the period of the Roman Republic (cf. Triumviri, Three Men). In English it is rendered as decemvirate. Different types of decemvirates included (decemviri writing the law with consular power), (decemviri adjudging litigation) (decemviri making sacrifices) and the distribution of public lands (). The singular, decemvir, is used to indicate a member of a decemvirate both in Latin and in English. In English decemvirs is used as a plural for this.
Usage examples of "decemviri".
Gratama has ventured to advance two propositions entirely devoid of proof: "Decem priores tabulas ab ipsis Romanis non esse profectas, tota confirma Decemviratus Historia," et "Hermodorum legum decemviralium ceri nominis auctorem esse, qui eas composuerit suis ordinibus, disposuerit, suaque fecerit auctoritate, ut a decemviris reciperentur.