duumvirate
(djuːˈʌmvɪrət)
[ad. L. duumvirāt-us, f. duumvir: see -ate1.]
1. The position or office of the Roman duumvirs; the joint office or authority of two.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Duumvirate, the Office of the Duumvir in Rome, or of two in equal Authority, and may be taken for the Sheriffship of the City of London, or of any other place, where two are in joynt Authority. 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The duumvirate lasted till the year of Rome 388, when it was changed into a decemvirate. 1831 Fraser's Mag. III. 137 A Swift and Pope can even found an imperious Duumvirate. 1894 W. K. Hill Life of W. H. Widgery, title p., The government of children is a duumvirate of teacher and parent. |
2. A coalition of two men; a pair of officials or of men associated in any office or position.
| 1771 Magna Charta in Newell Inquest Jurymen (1825) 104 The livery..had made a resolution to walk before this illustrious Duumvirate [two Magistrates released from confinement] to the Mansion-House. 1807 Sir R. Wilson Jrnl. 28 June in Life (1862) II. viii. 283 The duumvirate were three hours together. a 1828 H. Neele Lit. Rem. (1829) 29 That highly gifted duumvirate, Beaumont and Fletcher. |
So (in sense 1) † duˈumvirateship (obs.).
| 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. 197 It is a sort of Duumvirateship in Power, by which the Civil Monarchy is broken. |