decurion

[ dih-kyoo r-ee-uh n ]

/ dɪˈkyʊər i ən /

the head of a decury.

a member of the senate of an ancient Roman colony or municipality.

Origin of decurion

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin decuriōn- (stem of decuriō), equivalent to decuri(a) a division of ten ( dec(em) ten + -uria -ure) + -iōn- -ion

Draghignazzo, he too, wished to have a catch at the legs below; whereat their decurion wheeled around around with evil aspect.

Dante: "The Central Man of All the World" |John T. Slattery
All this tends at least to prove that we should read "decurion" for "deacon" in the "Confession."

Bolougne-Sur-Mer |Reverend William Canon Fleming
In a moment the boy sprang into the decurion's way so suddenly that the soldier almost fell over him.

The City of Delight |Elizabeth Miller
Then, returning home, he summoned the decurion of police, and informed him that Phut might be a dangerous person.

The Pharaoh and the Priest |Alexander Glovatski

Cicero said that it was easier to be a Senator at Rome than a decurion at Pompeii.

The Wonders of Pompeii |Marc Monnier

decurion

/ (dɪˈkjʊərɪən) /

a local councillor

the commander of a troop of ten cavalrymen

C14: from Latin decuriō, from decuria company of ten, from decem ten