soviet
[soh-vee-et, -it, soh-vee-et]
- (in the Soviet Union).
- (before the revolution) any governmental council.
- (after the revolution) a local council, originally elected only by manual workers, with certain powers of local administration.
- (after the revolution) a higher council elected by a local council, being part of a hierarchy of soviets culminating in the Supreme Soviet.
- any similar council or assembly connected with a socialistic governmental system elsewhere.
- (initial capital letter) Often Soviets. a governing official or person living in the Soviet Union: The Soviets have denied our charge.
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- of or relating to a soviet.
- (initial capital letter) of the Soviet Union: a Soviet statesman.
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Origin of soviet
1915–20; < Russian sovét council, counsel, advice, Old Russian, OCS sŭvětŭ, equivalent to sŭ- together, with + větŭ counsel; calque of Greek symboúlion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for soviets
Contemporary Examples
But why did the generals feel the need to rely on these groups, even after the Soviets left Afghanistan?
Pakistan’s Dance With Terrorists Just Backfired and Killed 132 ChildrenChris Allbritton
December 17, 2014
Reagan learned this in the midst of negotiating historic arms-reduction treaties with the Soviets at the height of the Cold War.
The Soviets got to the far side of the Moon first, and the mystery they found remains.
Beck was totally unaware that earlier that morning the Soviets had shot down a Korean airliner in the Sea of Japan.
He fought with the Soviets, then led the cavalry and B-52 bombers to rout the Taliban.
The Warlord Who Defines Afghanistan: An Excerpt From Bruce Riedel’s ’What We Won’Bruce Riedel
July 27, 2014
Historical Examples
This will be a politic move for the Soviets as well as England.
Erik DornBen Hecht
His only interest in all this was the overthrow of the Soviets.
RevolutionDallas McCord Reynolds
When they start shelling from underwater, the Soviets are sure going to be surprised.
The DefendersPhilip K. Dick
Of course, in so far as that Government submits to the will of the Soviets?
The Russian TurmoilAnton Ivanovich Denikin
"If he does that he'll recognize the Soviets," said Henslowe.
Three SoldiersJohn Dos Passos
Soviets
- the people or government of the former Soviet Union
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soviet
- (in the former Soviet Union) an elected government council at the local, regional, and national levels, which culminated in the Supreme Soviet
- (in prerevolutionary Russia) a local revolutionary council
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- of or relating to a soviet
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Word Origin
C20: from Russian sovyet council, from Old Russian sŭvĕtŭ
Soviet
- of, characteristic of, or relating to the former Soviet Union, its people, or its government
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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 soviets
soviet
n.
1917, from Russian sovet "governing council," literally "council," from Old Russian suvetu "assembly," from su "with" (from *su(n)- "with, together," from PIE *ksun- "with") + vetu "counsel." The whole is a loan-translation of Greek symboulion "council of advisers." As an adjective from 1918.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper