duumvirate

1 9.9

Two people who share control of a government or group

noun
/ˈduːəmˌvaɪrɪt/

Specialized

: duumvirato

A duumvirate led the committee, making all major decisions together.

Examples

Rome had a duumvirate during its early Republic.
The ancient Roman republic was sometimes governed by a duumvirate instead of a single consul.
The company was managed by a duumvirate of co-founders who shared equal authority.
The new duumvirate is in charge now.
The local duumvirate made decisions that affected the entire community.
In the newly formed government, the duumvirate worked together to implement reforms.
The historical duumvirate of Rome consisted of two powerful leaders who shared control.

Synonyms

diarchy

vsduumvirate

Specialized

1 9.9

A government where two rulers share power

is the specific joint office or the two officials holding that power

duarchy

vsduumvirate

Specialized

1 9.9

A government in which two rulers share power equally

is the specific joint office or the two officials rather than the system

Surface Forms

duumvirate singular

duumvirates plural

Morphology

duumvirate = duumvir (opaque) = duumvir + ate

Although built from Latin elements meaning 'two' and 'man', the formation is a learned Latin borrowing (duumvir + -ate) and is not transparently analyzable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Duumvirate comes from Latin parts duo 'two' and vir 'man', and it first named a pair of Roman officials who ruled together. So a duumvirate is a team or government where two people share power, like a duo working side by side.