duma

[ doo-muh ]

noun

1. (in Russia prior to 1917) a council or official assembly.
2. (initial capital letter) an elective legislative assembly, established in 1905 by Nicholas II, constituting the lower house of parliament.

duma

/ ˈduːmə /

noun

1. usually capital the elective legislative assembly established by Tsar Nicholas II in 1905: overthrown by the Bolsheviks in 1917
2. (before 1917) any official assembly or council
3. short for State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament

Word History and Origins

Origin of duma¹

1865–70; < Russian, Old Russian dúma assembly, council (an early homonym with dúma thought); cognate with Bulgarian dúma word, Slovak duma meditation; Slavic *dum- probably < Gothic dōms judgment ( doom )

Word History and Origins

Origin of duma¹

C20: from duma thought, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic dōms judgment

Example Sentences

“It is not dissimilar from Putin using the Duma to ratify his annexation of the Crimea,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Last April, shortly after annexation, the Duma voted for the law allowing gaming zones in Crimea.

From The Daily Beast

Deputies were full of optimism: sanctions would help to make the Russian economy healthier, Duma members concluded on Wednesday.

From The Daily Beast

“Our relationship with the U.S. has been growing colder and colder,” said the Duma deputy, Robert Schlegel.

From The Daily Beast

Omar and Fouzi are from the West Bank village of Duma, 13 miles southeast of Nablus.

From The Daily Beast

Much was hoped from the duma, but this body has proved bitterly opposed to the Jewish claim for liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the Duma which was strangled by these forces, of which the first was the more potent and malign.

From Project Gutenberg

Now there is a duma, and the duma as an institution still lives.

From Project Gutenberg

The duma is ready to do its part; will the government rise to the occasion?

From Project Gutenberg

The Duma invited the Council to share its own convenient quarters.

From Project Gutenberg