Prussian

[ pruhsh-uhn ]

/ ˈprʌʃ ən /

Save This Word!

adjective

of or relating to Prussia or its inhabitants.

characterized by, exemplifying, or resembling Prussianism.

noun

a native or inhabitant of Prussia.

(originally) one of a Lettic people formerly inhabiting territory along and near the coast at the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea.

a Baltic language formerly spoken in Prussia; Old Prussian. Abbreviation: Pruss

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of Prussian

First recorded in 1555–65; Prussi(a) + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM Prussian

non-Prussian, noun, adjectivepro-Prussian, adjective, noun

Words nearby Prussian

pruritus vulvae, Prus., prusik, Prusiner, Prussia, Prussian, Prussian blue, Prussianism, prussianize, prussiate, prussic

How to use Prussian in a sentence

The whole purpose was to create this idea that there was this Prussian juggernaut.
How The Cold War Endgame Played Out In The Rubble Of The Berlin Wall|William O’Connor|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I had some letters from Koch that were a goldmine for the book—his letters from the front during the Franco-Prussian War.
Following Tuberculosis From Death Sentence to Cure|Tessa Miller|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Supposedly, he and his troops drank it after defeating the Prussian army in 1809.
Wine Snobs, There’s a Beer for You|Jordan Salcito|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They contained photographs and portraits of all the military leaders of the Prussian state from the Soldier King to Hitler.
The Real Monuments Men: The Coronation Chamber of Hitler|Robert Edsel|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Prussian militarism was unlovely, to be sure, but the Kaiser was no Führer.
The Utterly Pointless First World War|Michael F. Bishop|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The Polish insurgents surrendered to the Prussian troops, after great slaughter, at Posen.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
We spurred across the plain to the mouth of a deep, wooded defile, through which the Prussian grand corps d'armée were advancing.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
I predict that, in one month from the date of this letter, there will not be an Austrian or Prussian cartridge found in France.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Soon the whole of the Prussian army, forty-five thousand strong, was engaged in the attempt to crush the small French force.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for Prussian

Prussian

/ (ˈprʌʃən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Prussia or its people, esp of the Junkers and their formal military tradition

noun

a German native or inhabitant of Prussia

a member of a Baltic people formerly inhabiting the coastal area of the SE Baltic

See Old Prussian

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