soviet
[soh-vee-et, -it, soh-vee-et]
- (in the Soviet Union).
- (before the revolution) any governmental council.
- (after the revolution) a local council, originally elected only by manual workers, with certain powers of local administration.
- (after the revolution) a higher council elected by a local council, being part of a hierarchy of soviets culminating in the Supreme Soviet.
- any similar council or assembly connected with a socialistic governmental system elsewhere.
- (initial capital letter) Often Soviets. a governing official or person living in the Soviet Union: The Soviets have denied our charge.
- of or relating to a soviet.
- (initial capital letter) of the Soviet Union: a Soviet statesman.
Origin of soviet
1915–20; < Russian sovét council, counsel, advice, Old Russian, OCS sŭvětŭ, equivalent to sŭ- together, with + větŭ counsel; calque of Greek symboúlion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for soviet
Contemporary Examples
Unlike the Soviet Union at a certain period in history, the Russian economy does not hold a candle to that of the United States.
Copies of the letter were sent to senior members of the church hierarchy and to the Soviet government.
Miles of Soviet era housing projects sat along on the ocean.
Not even after its parent company, the Soviet Union, took a dive in 1991.
Soviet forces had deftly enveloped the German 4th and 9th Armies, annihilating some 28 divisions.
Historical Examples
And this we are trying to do in negotiations with the Soviet Union.
In passing, it is of interest to note that only once did Soviet Russia agree to toss.
The Golden JudgeNathaniel Gordon
All over the world, fellow-travelers abandoned the Soviet cause.
The Golden JudgeNathaniel Gordon
These countries can, and must, prepare themselves to be Soviet republics.
The New World of IslamLothrop Stoddard
Otherwise it wouldn't have been hovering in plain sight of the Soviet radar.
Hail to the ChiefGordon Randall Garrett
soviet
- (in the former Soviet Union) an elected government council at the local, regional, and national levels, which culminated in the Supreme Soviet
- (in prerevolutionary Russia) a local revolutionary council
- of or relating to a soviet
Word Origin
C20: from Russian sovyet council, from Old Russian sŭvĕtŭ
Soviet
- of, characteristic of, or relating to the former Soviet Union, its people, or its government
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for soviet
n.
1917, from Russian sovet "governing council," literally "council," from Old Russian suvetu "assembly," from su "with" (from *su(n)- "with, together," from PIE *ksun- "with") + vetu "counsel." The whole is a loan-translation of Greek symboulion "council of advisers." As an adjective from 1918.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper