one of three persons who govern absolutely, and with equal authority, in a state. It is chiefly applied to the Roman government: Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, were the first triumvirs who divided the government among them. There were also other officers so called; as the triumviri or tresviri capitales, who were the keepers of the public gaol: they had the office of punishing malefactors; for which purpose they kept eight lictors under them.