ataman

[ at-uh-muhn ]

noun

, plural at·a·mans.

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

ataman

/ ˈætəmən /

noun

1. an elected leader of the Cossacks; hetman

Word History and Origins

Origin of ataman¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ataman¹

from Russian, from Polish hetman, from German Hauptmann (literally: head man)

Example Sentences

The decision maker turned out to be a gray-haired Cossack ataman, or commander, in a traditional sheepskin hat.

From The Daily Beast

I should have had to knuckle down very submissively to some ataman, or bully, and this I was not willing to do.

From Project Gutenberg

They live there in dirty little cabins and underground caves, a close community with its ataman and common funds.

From Project Gutenberg

The son of the head man of our village (the ataman), took his place next to him with a harmonica.

From Project Gutenberg

I heard the village ataman, the head man of our village, say to him in a slow, persuasive voice.

From Project Gutenberg

Ataman Semianoff had for some time been kept by the Japanese in reserve for such an occasion.

From Project Gutenberg