adj. 1. Of or relating to Russia or its people, language, or culture. 2. Of or relating to the former Soviet Union. n. 1. a. A native or inhabitant of Russia. b. A person of Russian ancestry. c. A native or inhabitant of the former Soviet Union. 2. The East Slavic language of the Russians, used as the official language of Russia and widely as a second language within the Commonwealth of Independent States. [Medieval Latin Russiānus, from Old Russian Rusĭ, Vikings, Rus, from Old Norse *rōdhs(menn) or rōdhs(karlar), seafarers, from rōdhr, rowing; see erə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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