By extension: Any association of three joint rulers or powers.

triumvirate.

= triumvirate, n.

Roman History (plural). A body of ten men acting as a commission, council, college, or ruling authority; esp. the two bodies of magistrates appointed…

figurative. A group or association of five related or dominant persons or things.

transferred and figurative. plural. Three persons (or things) associated in power or authority; cf. triumvirate, n. 2 3; spec. in the French…

= decadarchy, n.

transferred. A body of ten rulers, councillors, etc., as the Venetian Council of Ten. Also attributive.

transferred and figurative. A government by four persons jointly; a set of four tetrarchs or rulers; a country divided into four petty governments.

A ruling body of ten. Cf. decarchy, n.

Government by three rulers or powers jointly; three persons associated in government, a triumvirate. Cf. tetrarchy, n. 2.

an association of three rulers.