Slav

¹

[ slahv, slav ]

noun

1. one of a group of peoples in eastern, southeastern, and central Europe, including the Russians and Ruthenians Eastern Slavs, the Bulgars, Serbs, Croats, Slavonians, Slovenians, etc. Southern Slavs, and the Poles, Czechs, Moravians, Slovaks, etc. Western Slavs.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Slavs; Slavic.

Slav

²

or Slav.

abbreviation for

1. Slavic ( def 1 ).

Slav

/ slɑːv /

noun

1. a member of any of the peoples of E Europe or NW Asia who speak a Slavonic language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Slav¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin Slāvus, variant of Sclāvus, akin to Late Greek Sklábos, from a Slavic ethnonym, perhaps originally a name for all Slavic tribes (compare Old Russian Slověně, an East Slavic tribe); replacing Middle English Sclave, from Medieval Latin Sclāvus; Slovak, Slovenian, slave ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Slav¹

C14: from Medieval Latin Sclāvus a captive Slav; see slave

Example Sentences

But his father was a Slav, and what is madness in an Englishwoman is sanity in a Russian.

From Project Gutenberg

The late disturbance in the Far East marked the clashing of the dreams, for the Slav, too, is dreaming greatly.

From Project Gutenberg

My old Slav kingdom I did not care to keep; it was best to give up everything, and wipe out all memory of myself.

From Project Gutenberg

With no immediate outlook for a strike the Slav and Italian miners refused to pay union dues.

From Project Gutenberg

The line he made his application on was that he should so like to play her a rapid movement by an unpronounceable Slav.

From Project Gutenberg