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commissar

[ kom-uh-sahr, kom-uh-sahr ]

noun

  1. the head of any of the major governmental divisions of the U.S.S.R.: called minister since 1946.
  2. an official in any communist government whose duties include political indoctrination, detection of political deviation, etc.


commissar

/ ˌkɒmɪˈsɑː; ˈkɒmɪˌsɑː /

noun

  1. Also calledpolitical commissar an official of the Communist Party responsible for political education, esp in a military unit
  2. Also calledPeople's Commissar (before 1946) the head of a government department Now calledminister
“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


commissar

  1. In various communist systems of government, an official assigned to a group to ensure the group's conformity to Communist party doctrine. The heads of government departments in the former Soviet Union were called commissars.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of commissar1

1915–20; < Russian komissár < German Kommissar < Medieval Latin commissārius commissary
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Word History and Origins

Origin of commissar1

C20: from Russian kommissar, from German, from Medieval Latin commissārius commissary
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Example Sentences

It took a while, but Republicans have started to throw Commissar Norquist under the bus.

Still from Biisk in the Altai country had just come a very important commissar.

The commissar began to protest heatedly, but Josip Pekic shook his head and tried to firm his less than dominating voice.

One Commissar was appointed by agreement between the Government and the Soviet.

That Commissar, according to the Commanding Officers, is undoubtedly useful.

When the latter passed a vote of censure upon the activities of a Commissar, he could practically do nothing more.

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