What is "septemvir"

Septemvir \Sep*tem"vir\, n.; pl. E. Septemvirs, L. Septemviri. [L. septemviri, pl.; septem seven + viri, pl. of vir man.] (Rom. Hist.) One of a board of seven men associated in some office.

n. (context historical English) A member of a septemvirate; one of seven people associated in some office.

In ancient Rome, a septemvir was one of seven men appointed to execute a commission. The term septemviri was used to refer to such a commission collectively. Seven-man commissions were appointed to serve both secular and religious purposes. One of the most significant religious groups in Rome was the septemviri Epulones, a college of priests who prepared the feasts in honour of the gods.