voivode

American  

[voi-vohd] / ˈvɔɪ voʊd /

noun

1. (in Eastern European history) a local ruler or governor, especially the semi-independent rulers of Transylvania, Wallachia, or Moldova before c1700.

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Etymology

Origin of voivode

First recorded in 1550–60; ultimately from Slavic; compare Polish wojewoda, Russian voevóda, Serbo-Croatian vȍj(e)voda, Old Church Slavonic vojevoda “commander, governor” (translating Greek hēgemṓn and stratēgós ), equivalent to voj- base of voinŭ “warrior” + -e- variant (after j ) of -o- -o- + -voda, noun derivative of voditi “to lead”; vaivode, from Hungarian vajvoda (now vajda ), from Slavic

Example Sentences

In 1454 the town repudiated the overlordship of the Teutonic Order, and placed itself under the protection of the king of Poland, becoming the seat of a Polish voivode.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

All joy vanished from his life the moment he was made a voivode, just as if he felt that only Death could relieve him of that dignity.

From Halil the Pedlar A Tale of Old Stambul by Jókai, Mór

When I said that my father had been a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia I might have been calling him a voivode of Montenegro or the president of a zemstvo.

From The High Heart by King, Basil

Our faithful voivode of the Tsigani with others belonging to him has humbly requested us that we might graciously grant them our abundant favour.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various

Woe is me! woe’s me! thou voivode Leka!

From Servian Popular Poetry by Bowring, John