starets

[ stahr-its, -yits ]

/ ˈstɑr ɪts, -yɪts /

a religious teacher or counselor.

QUIZZES

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

1915–20; <Russian stárets elder, derivative of stáryǐ old

What followed ought, I saw, not to be read aloud to that trio, who might at any moment turn to be enemies of the Starets.
The Minister of Evil|William Le Queux
The Tsar bowed as the Starets, crossing himself, bestowed his blessing upon him.
The Minister of Evil|William Le Queux
All he could do then was to obey the starets, to restrain himself, to undertake nothing, and simply to wait.
Father Sergius|Leo Tolstoy
He did so, and took leave of the starets and moved to the other monastery.
Father Sergius|Leo Tolstoy

One day a frantic message came to me over the telephone from Madame Vyrubova, who inquired the whereabouts of the Starets.
The Minister of Evil|William Le Queux