Decaduchi (δεκα-δοῦχοι), Gr. A council of ten, who ruled Athens from B.C. 403 until the restoration of democracy.
Decan, Egyp. A period of ten days, which was ruled by a star called its Decan. The month was divided into three decans, and the year into thirty-six, each being presided over by its own inferior divinity. On zodiacs they are arranged in groups of three above the twelve superior gods. The decans were the tutelary genii of the horoscope.
Decarchia (δεκ-αρχία). A council of the Lacedæmonians.
Decastellare, Med. Lat. To dismantle.
Decastylos, Arch. A building of which the portico has ten columns; a decastylic pediment is a pediment supported by ten columns.
Decemjugus (sc. currus), R. A chariot drawn by ten horses abreast; represented on the medals of the later emperors.
Decempeda, R. A ten-foot measuring-rod used by architects and surveyors.
Decemremis, R. (remus, an oar). A vessel with ten banks of oars. It is certain that the different ranks of rowers, who had each his own seat, sat one above the other; the lowest row was called thalamos, the middle zuga, and the uppermost thranos; but it is very difficult to understand in what manner so many ranks could have been arranged, and the question has been the subject of infinite discussion.
Decennalia or Decennia. A festival at Rome in commemoration of the refusal of Augustus to become emperor for a longer period than ten years at a time.
Decollation (= beheading). An ecclesiastical expression applied to St. John the Baptist and other martyrs.