decemvir noun. [dɪ'sɛmvǝ] LME.
[Latin, sing. of decemviri, orig. decem viri ten men.]
1. In pl. A council or ruling body of ten. Orig. & esp. (Roman History) either of two bodies of magistrates appointed in 451 and 450 BC respectively to draw up a code of laws, who were in the meantime entrusted with the supreme government of Rome. LME.

2. A member of such a body. E18.

■ decemviral adjective of or pertaining to decemvirs E17.

■ decemvirate noun the position or government of decemvirs; a body of decemvirs: E17.

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