commissariat

[kom-uh-sair-ee-uh t]

noun

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

the organized method or manner by which food, equipment, transport, etc., is delivered to armies.

the department of an army charged with supplying provisions.

Nearby words

Origin of commissariat

1600–10; < New Latin commissāriātus, equivalent to Medieval Latin commissāri(us) commissary + -ātus -ate³; (def 1) < Russian komissariát ≪ New Latin, as above

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

Examples from the Web for commissariat

The rapid spread of the rat is due to the fearlessness with which he will follow man and his commissariat wherever he goes.
Curiosities of Civilization|Andrew Wynter
The commissariat feeds the newly developing muscles better if there is no tax upon it to replenish the fat as well.
Boating|W. B. Woodgate
But the troops soon had to undergo worse troubles than those of the commissariat.
Black Rebellion|Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Though for the most part leanness prevailed, there was now and then to be found an oasis in the desert of the commissariat.
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. IV (of 6)|Louis Creswicke

The commander-in-chief had been lately giving a rough overhauling to the officials of the commissariat.
The Actress in High Life|Sue Petigru Bowen

British Dictionary definitions for commissariat

commissariat

noun

(in the former Soviet Union) a government department before 1946Now called: ministry

a military department in charge of food supplies, equipment, etc
the offices of such a department

food supplies

Word Origin for commissariat

C17: from New Latin commissāriātus, 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 commissariat

commissariat

c.1600, in Scottish law, "commissary court," from French commissariat, from Medieval Latin *commissariatus, from commissarius (see commissary). Military use is from 1779. In reference to the USSR, "ministry," from 1918.