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ataman

American  
[at-uh-muhn] / ˈæt ə mən /

noun

plural

atamans
  1. the elected chief of a Cossack village or military force.


ataman British  
/ ˈætəmən /

noun

  1. an elected leader of the Cossacks; hetman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ataman

1825–35; < Russian atamán, Old Russian vatamanŭ, probably alteration of a Turkic word with the personal suffix -man; identity of initial element disputed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A koshevoi ataman has rank confirmed and recognized by the Commonwealth, with which the kuren atamans can cloak their action.

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

The second letter was from Pan Grodzitski, also to the chief ataman; the third and fourth from Zatsvilikhovski and the old colonel of Cherkasi to Tatarchuk and Barabash.

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

But how insignificant appeared little Pan Michael before the large and powerful ataman!

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

Oh," thought the old Cossack, "our ataman would do better to think of his own skin than of a young girl!

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

Nothing remained then for the unfortunate ataman but to withdraw with all speed to Kr�vonos; but the task was not easy.

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk