arshin

[ ahr-sheen ]

noun

Origin of arshin

First recorded in 1725–35; from Russian arshín, from Tatar aršïn or a cognate Turkic word, ultimately from Persian

While a machine is like an arshin (yardstick), it contains exactly so much as the work required.
Foma Gordyeff | Maxim Gorky
The little man was really one arshin high, and his beard was seven arshins long.
Old Peter's Russian Tales | Arthur Ransome
It stands the Government in about a rouble the arshin, and sells for two roubles.
The American Quarterly Review, No. 17, March 1831 | Various
In his head was a hole, and from the hole the black blood was pouring; the dust for an arshin around was wet with it.
A Russian Proprietor | Lyof N. Tolstoi

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