kulak

American  

[koo-lahk, -lak, koo-lahk, -lak] / kʊˈlɑk, -ˈlæk, ˈku lɑk, -læk /

noun

1. a comparatively wealthy peasant who employed hired labor or possessed farm machinery and who was viewed and treated by the Communists during the drive to collectivize agriculture in the 1920s and 1930s as an oppressor and class enemy.

2. (before the revolution of 1917) a prosperous, ruthless, and stingy merchant or village usurer.

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kulak British  

/ ˈkuːlæk /

noun

1. (in Russia after 1906) a member of the class of peasants who became proprietors of their own farms. After the October Revolution the kulaks opposed collectivization of land, but in 1929 Stalin initiated their liquidation

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Etymology

Origin of kulak

First recorded in 1875–80, kulak is from the Russian word kulák literally, fist

Example Sentences

Jordana Kulak, a publicist at Penguin Young Readers, says Goodreads is a significant part of a book’s early publicity cycle.

From Slate • Jun. 29, 2023

A minute later, the Oilers rebuilt a two-goal margin when defenseman Brett Kulak darted in from the blue line to snap a shot past Korpisalo.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2023

By Tuesday morning, the couple’s families had gathered at the site in what was a mostly silent vigil, until, as the sun came up, Ms. Zelenska’s father, Mykola Kulak, vented his anger.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2023

Brett Kulak and Connor McDavid had goals for the Oilers, who have lost two of their last three.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2022

We were going to Kulak, in the Maharajah's territory.

From Hilda Wade, a Woman with Tenacity of Purpose by Allen, Grant