dĕcĭmo

I. To select by lot every tenth man for punishment, to decimate (postAug., although the practice itself occurs as early as 283 A. U. C.; v. Liv. 2, 59 fin.), Suet. Galb. 12: cohortes, id. Aug. 24: cohortium militem, Frontin. Strat. 4, 1, 37 al.— Absol., Suet. Calig. 48.—

II. To cause to pay tithes, to collect tithes from a person. —Pass.: et Levi decimatus est, Vulg. Hebr. 7, 9.—

III. To select the tenth part as an offering, to pay tithes of anything, Fest. p. 237, 25 Müll.; Vulg. Matth. 23, 23.—Hence, dĕcŭmātus, a, um, P. a., selected, excellent, choice: honestas, Symm. Ep. 3, 49 and 51.—Sup.: juvenis, id. ib. 8, 16.