commissar

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

/ ˈkɒm əˌsɑr, ˌkɒm əˈsɑr /

noun

the head of any of the major governmental divisions of the U.S.S.R.: called minister since 1946.

an official in any communist government whose duties include political indoctrination, detection of political deviation, etc.

Nearby words

commis, commiserate, commiseration, commish, commissaire, commissar, commissariat, commissary, commission, commission for racial equality, commission house

Origin of commissar

1915–20; < Russian komissár < German Kommissar < Medieval Latin commissārius commissary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for commissar

That Commissar, according to the Commanding Officers, is undoubtedly useful.
The Russian Turmoil|Anton Ivanovich Denikin
The commissar began to protest heatedly, but Josip Pekic shook his head and tried to firm his less than dominating voice.
Expediter|Dallas McCord Reynolds
One Commissar was appointed by agreement between the Government and the Soviet.
The Russian Turmoil|Anton Ivanovich Denikin
When the latter passed a vote of censure upon the activities of a Commissar, he could practically do nothing more.
The Russian Turmoil|Anton Ivanovich Denikin

He is the commissar of the 'Cheka' and she is the agent of this establishment.
Beasts, Men and Gods|Ferdinand Ossendowski

British Dictionary definitions for commissar

commissar

/ (ˈkɒmɪˌsɑː, ˌkɒmɪˈsɑː) /

noun (in the former Soviet Union)

Also called: political commissar an official of the Communist Party responsible for political education, esp in a military unit

Also called: People's Commissar (before 1946) the head of a government departmentNow called: minister

Word Origin for commissar

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

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

Word Origin and History for commissar

commissar

1918, from Russian komissar, from German Kommissar "commissioner," from French, ultimately from Medieval Latin commissarius (see commissary).

Culture definitions for commissar

commissar

[ (kom-uh-sahr) ]

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.