Prussian

[ pruhsh-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Prussia or its inhabitants.
2. characterized by, exemplifying, or resembling Prussianism.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Prussia.
2. (originally) one of a Lettic people formerly inhabiting territory along and near the coast at the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea.
3. a Baltic language formerly spoken in Prussia; Old Prussian. : Pruss

Prussian

/ ˈprʌʃən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Prussia or its people, esp of the Junkers and their formal military tradition

noun

1. a German native or inhabitant of Prussia
2. a member of a Baltic people formerly inhabiting the coastal area of the SE Baltic
3. See Old Prussian
   See Old Prussian

Other Words From

• an·ti-Prus·sian adjective noun
• non-Prus·sian noun adjective
• pro-Prus·sian adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Prussian¹

First recorded in 1555–65; Prussi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

The whole purpose was to create this idea that there was this Prussian juggernaut.

From The Daily Beast

I had some letters from Koch that were a goldmine for the book—his letters from the front during the Franco-Prussian War.

From The Daily Beast

Supposedly, he and his troops drank it after defeating the Prussian army in 1809.

From The Daily Beast

They contained photographs and portraits of all the military leaders of the Prussian state from the Soldier King to Hitler.

From The Daily Beast

Prussian militarism was unlovely, to be sure, but the Kaiser was no Führer.

From The Daily Beast

In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.

From Project Gutenberg

The Polish insurgents surrendered to the Prussian troops, after great slaughter, at Posen.

From Project Gutenberg

We spurred across the plain to the mouth of a deep, wooded defile, through which the Prussian grand corps d'armée were advancing.

From Project Gutenberg

I predict that, in one month from the date of this letter, there will not be an Austrian or Prussian cartridge found in France.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon the whole of the Prussian army, forty-five thousand strong, was engaged in the attempt to crush the small French force.

From Project Gutenberg