quadrumvirate

1 9.9

A group of four men who share power, often in politics or government

noun
/ˌkwɒdrəmˈvɪrɪt/

Formal

: cuadrumvirato

A quadrumvirate of generals seized control after the coup.

Examples

The new quadrumvirate was formed to address the city's issues.
The board was governed by a quadrumvirate during the transitional period.
Leadership of the organization shifted to a quadrumvirate in 1920.
The quadrumvirate met every week to discuss their plans.
The quadrumvirate of leaders worked collaboratively to implement the new policy.
The city's governing quadrumvirate met regularly to discuss urgent issues.
In ancient Rome, a quadrumvirate was formed to manage various civic projects.

Synonyms

foursome

vsquadrumvirate

15 3.2

A group of four people who meet or play together

is used for four men especially in political or administrative roles

quartet

vsquadrumvirate

10 3.3

A set of four people or things thought of as one unit

refers specifically to four men rather than any four people

quartette

vsquadrumvirate

1 6.1

A set of four things or people seen as one group

refers to four men in political or administrative settings rather than art

quaternion

vsquadrumvirate

Archaic

1 9.6

A group of four people or things

refers to four men often in political or administrative roles

Surface Forms

quadrumvirate singular

quadrumvirates plural

Morphology

quadrumvirate = triumvirate (semi-transparent) = quadru + vir + ate

The element for 'four' is recognizable, and the word is clearly patterned on 'triumvirate', but 'vir' (man) and the collective '-ate' are Latin combining forms not productive in everyday English, so inference is only partially reliable for learners.

Etymology

Quadrumvirate comes from Latin parts quadru- meaning 'four' and vir meaning 'man', the same 'quad' you see in quadruple or the 'four' in a quartet. So a quadrumvirate is literally a group of four men who share power or lead together.