An Attempt To Date
Russia
G.D.O'Bradovich III
July 28, 2015
Courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary: What did the English know about the Russians and when did they know it? Citations after the year 1800 are omitted.
Forms:
15 Russyan, 15– Russian, 16 Rushian.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Russianus, adjective (11th cent.)
< Russia (see Russia n.) + classical Latin -ānus -an suffix. Compare French russien (noun) Russian language (1575 in Middle French), (adjective) of or belonging to Russia (1589 in Middle French), Spanish rusiano (1569 as noun, denoting a Russian person, c1618 as adjective in the form †russiano ), Italian †russiano (a1448 as noun, denoting a Russian person, 1707 as adjective in sense ‘of or belonging to Russia’). Compare Rooshian n., Rooshian adj.
In sense A. 3 probably punningly after rush v.2 8 and (although this is first attested slightly later) rush n.2 10a.
A. n.
1 a. A member of an East Slavonic-speaking people living primarily in Russia and neighbouring countries; a native or inhabitant of Russia, or (more widely) its former empire or the former Soviet Union; a person of Russian nationality. Cf. Russ n., Great Russian n., Little Russian n., White Russian n.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. at Scytæ,
They be nowe called Russyans, Moscouites, and Tartariens.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 31v,
The Russians and Moscouians.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 443
What did the Russian whisper in your eare?
1639 G. Daniel Vervicensis 515
As coldly Dull As the slaved Russian.
1674 A. Cremer tr. J. Scheffer Hist. Lapland 15
The Russians are generally tall, the Laplanders..very short; those are fat and corpulent, these lean and slender.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Mar. (1965) I. 390
My Grooms are Arabs;..my Housemaids Russians.
1780 W. Coxe Acct. Russ. Discov. 139
The most inveterate fomenter of hostilities against the Russians.
b. A member of the Russian Orthodox Church.
1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 25
Which hold and affirme, that..the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father, but not from the sonne: as at this day..the Russians..maintaine.
1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. iii. 490
No man amongst them questions it, and all affirm it; particularly the Greek Church, the Russians, the Abyssines.
1729 T. Consett in tr. Present State Church of Russia Pref. p. xi,
The Catholick and Apostolick Faith of Grecians and Russians; that is, of the whole Eastern or Greek Church.
1788 Gibbon Decline & Fall VI. lxvii. 439
Of the sectaries of the Greek communion, the Russians were the most powerful, ignorant, and superstitious.
2. The Slavonic language of Russia; the official language of the (former) Soviet Union.
1665 Disc. conc. Devils & Spirits ii. v. 64 in R. Scot Discov. Witchcraft (ed. 3)
They do many times express themselves in Irish, Welch, Latine, or Russian.
1696 H. Wanley Let. 17 Apr. 33
The first Russian that ha's been printed in England.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Mar. (1965) I. 390
In Pera they speak Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Arabic, Persian, Russian, [etc.].
1790 tr. J.-B.-B. de Lesseps Trav. Kamtschatka I. 214
He speaks Russian with sufficient ease to make himself understood.
B. adj.
1 a. Of, relating to, or characteristic of Russia, or (more widely) its former empire or the former Soviet Union; inhabiting or native to Russia, its former empire or the former Soviet Union. Cf. Russ adj., Great Russian adj., Little Russian adj., White Russian adj.
1583 A. Hawkins in G. Peckham True Rep. Newfound Landes sig. ∫.iiiv,
The speckled Russian Furres, that Esterlings vs sendes.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 401,
I will wish thee neuer more to daunce, Nor neuer more in Russian habite waite.
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Travellers Breviat (1603) 155
Horsemen with all necessaries meete for the warre after the Russian manner.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxvii. 104
There we happened to meet with a Russian prisoner, that received us very charitably.
1697 Dryden in tr. Virgil Wks. Ded. sig. A,
Like the heat of a Russian-Summer, he ripened the Fruits of Poetry in a cold climate.
1728 J. Thomson Spring 7
If brush'd from Russian Wilds a cutting Gale Rise not.
1797 Encycl. Brit. I. 659/2
The great goose.., weighing near 25 or 30 Russian pounds.
b. Of a merchant: that trades with Russia or in Russian goods. Also (of trade): conducted with Russia or in Russian goods.
a1631 J. Donne To Mr. E. G. in Poems (1912) I. 209
As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load.
1663 F. Philipps Antiq. Præ-emption & Pourveyance for King iii. 215
The many priviledges and immunities procured for our Merchants.., as that of..the Russian or Muscovy Trade.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. Introd. p. ix,
The ballance of our Russian trade is usually about a million rubles in favour of that empire.
2. Of, relating to, or written in the Russian language.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) ii. 67
The Russian letter, corrupted from the Greekish.
1669 W. Aglionby Present State United Provinces iii. xxvii. 356
They had found..something written upon the Cross in Russian Characters.
1785 Edinb. Mag. Apr. 305/2
The proper meaning and the grammatical sense of the Russian words and phrases.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 567/2
The Russian grammar above-mentioned.
3. Designating animals, plants, and plant products native to, originating in, or associated with Russia. See also Special uses 3.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 244/1
The Runt Pigeon or Russian Dove..are large Pigeons as big as young Hens.
1781 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. i. 43
Russian Eagle.
1789 Trans. Soc. Arts l. 94
Commonly sold in the shops under the name of Turkey or Russian Rhubarb.
1797 Encycl. Brit. III. 520/2
The Russian cabbage was formerly in much greater esteem than at present.
Compounds
Special uses
Russian-born adj.
1799 J. Scott tr. Ināyat Allāh Bahar-Danush II. xii. 65 Thou shameless Russian-born wretch, what abominable action is this?
S2.
Russian bath n. [after French bain de Russie (1768 in the passage translated in quot.1770)] a bath similar to a sauna, in which steam is produced by throwing water over heated stones; also fig.
1770 tr. J.-B. Chappe d'Auteroche Journey into Siberia 54 This first trial put me so much out of conceit with the Russian baths [Fr. bains de Russie], that I would not venture into them again during my five months stay at Tobolsky.
1863 C. J. Lever Day's Ride in All Year Round 16 Feb. 455/1 It is a sort of intellectual Russian bath, in which the luxury consists in the exaggerated alternative between being scalded first and rolled in the snow afterwards.
Russian bear n. a bear from Russia; (spec.) a national personification of Russia, its former empire, or the former Soviet Union.The figure of the Russian bear has often been used by hostile observers to represent the size, power, and potential threat posed by the Russian state; it has also on occasion been adopted by the Russians themselves as a symbol of their nation.
1607 T. Dekker Whore of Babylon sig. D, Oh, they ha snakes sleeky tongues, but hearts more rugged Then is the Russian Beare.
1737 Pope Epist. of Horace i. ii. 22 No Lord's anointed, but a Russian Bear.
Russian boot n. a leather boot that extends to the calf, usu. with a wide cuff; (in later use also) a leather boot loosely enclosing the calf.
1781 D. Barrington Miscellanies 59 Russian boots..are also recommended.
† Russian chess n. Obs. a form of chess played by four players with four sets of pieces.
[1784 W. Coxe Trav. Poland, Russia, Sweden, & Denmark I. 415 The Russians have also another method of playing at chess, namely, with four persons at the same time, two against two; and for this purpose the board is longer than usual, contains more men, and is provided with a greater number of squares.]
Russian eagle n. the double-headed eagle, one of the official state symbols of the (former) Russian Empire, the Russian Federation (since 1993), and the Russian Church; (also fig.) Russia or the Russian Empire, as symbolized by this.
The double-headed eagle, the official symbol of the former Byzantine Empire, was adopted by the Russian state in 1472, and remained a state symbol of the Russian Empire until the 1917 Revolution. In 1993 it was again adopted as an official state symbol of the Russian Federation.
1664 in G. Miège Relation of Three Embassies (1669) 177 Those two Sonnes of the Russian Eagle.
Russian Empire
n. now hist. the empire consisting of Tsarist Russia and the territories it governed; (occas. also) the Soviet Union viewed as resembling an imperial power. The Russian Empire originated in the expansion of the principality of Muscovy in the 15th–17th centuries, Ivan IV (‘the Terrible’) being crowned as the first Tsar in 1547. Peter the Great was the first Russian ruler to style himself imperator, ‘emperor’, in 1721. The Empire ended in the Russian Revolution of 1917, shortly after which the Soviet Union was formed.
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes I. ii. xi. 92 Ptolemey imagineth a line from Tanais Northwards; which well agrees to the method of our History, as including the most part of the Russian Empire.
1706 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. to North ix. 134 John Duke of Volodimir..seiz'd the City of Moscow, Capital of the Russian Empire, and expell'd the Tartars out of his Territories.
Russian hat n. a fur hat of Russian make or design, typically brimless and cylindrical with flexible ear flaps which can be tied under the chin or over the crown; cf. shapka n.
1788 J. Pinkerton tr. G. J. Thorkelin Fragm. Eng. & Irish Hist. 3 He met with a man at the door cloathed in purple, with a Russian hat on his head.
Russian iron n. now hist. = Russia iron n. at Russia n. 3a.
1758 Scots Mag. July 341/2 In Siberia, where the Russian iron is produced, the wages and victuals of a labourer is but about a penny Sterling a-day.
Russian leather n. = Russia leather n.
1642 G. T. Roger the Canterburian 3 He smells like a piece of Russian Leather of Arminius.
1773 Art Tanning & Currying Leather 198 The Russian leather being thus printed, is smeared with Russia oil.
Russian mat n. now hist. a piece of Russian matting, used esp. for insulation or protective covering.
1781 S. Greig Let. 25 Oct. in Mariner's Mirror (1980) 66 268 The Inflammatory property is rather inherent in the oyls as I find it will kindle Hemp, or Russian Matts in the same manner as it kindles Lamp-black.
Russian sable n. a skin or pelt of the sable, Martes zibellina; the heavy dark fur of this, esp. as used to make coats.
1620 J. Taylor Praise of Hemp-seed 6 If Hempseed did not oft supply their boxes With Russian Sables, Miniuers, and Foxes.
Russian tea n. †(a) an infusion of honey, pepper, and other ingredients (obs.); (b) tea grown in the Caucasus or a drink made from this; (c) any tea laced with lemon or rum.
1799 W. Tooke View Russ. Empire I. ii. i. 362 The true russian tea is a concoction of honey, water, and spanish pepper, and drank warm.
S3. In the names of plants and animals (cf. sense B. 3).
Russian pointer
. now rare a variety or breed of rough-haired gun dog originating in Russia; a dog of this variety or breed.
[1800 S. Edwards Cynographia Brit. at Canis Avicularis, There are other varieties of Pointer; as the Russian; in form like the Spanish.]
Forms:
α. 15 Rousse, 15 Rowse, 15 Rowsse, 15–17 Russe, 16– Russ; Sc. pre-17 Rus.
Etymology:
Originally
< early modern German russe, ruse, ruße, rusche (also reuse , rewzse , rewsse , reüsse ) native or inhabitant of Russia (Middle High German rūz , rūze , rūsze , rūsche , also (with mutation of the vowel and subsequent diphthongization) riuze , reusz ,reusze , reuse ; German Russe , (arch.) Reusse ); subsequently
< its etymon Old Russian Rus′, the name of the country, also the name of the people, earlier (in chronicles referring to events of the 9th and 10th cent., but compiled in the 12th cent. and extant in copies of the 14th cent. and later) the name of an ethnic or social group, ultimately of Scandinavian origin (Russian (now arch. and hist.)
Rus′ , the name of the country, also ‘people of Kievan Rus’, ‘Russians’, ‘people of Scandinavian origin who settled around Novgorod and Kiev’); further etymology uncertain (see note).
Compare post-classical Latin Russus (10th cent.; 12th cent. in a British source), Old Swedish Ryz , Ryze ,Rytz (13th cent.; Swedish Ryss ), Old Danish Ryzæ , Ryscæn , Rytzen (Danish Russer , †Rus , †Russe , †Rys , †Rysse , †Rysser , etc.), Old Norwegian (plural) Ruzar , Ryzar , Ryzir , Middle Dutch Ruse , Ruese , Rusche (Dutch Rus ), French Russe (1671 or earlier). Compare later Russian n., Russian adj., Russie adj., Russie n.
Old Russian Rus′ is usually taken to be
< a stem ultimately of early Scandinavian origin + Old Russian -′ , suffix forming collective nouns (originally a reduced front vowel, subsequently replaced by the palatalized quality of the preceding consonant; compare čud′ Finns, perm′ Permians, lib′ Livonians, prus′ Prussians, serb′ Serbs):
compare Old Swedish roþer rowing, roþrin , roþin ‘administrative subdivision in coastal Eastern Sweden’, and the first element in Old Swedish rodskarl (Swedishroskarl ) inhabitant of Roslagen, all
< the same Germanic base as row v.1; perhaps via a Finnic language, compare Finnish Ruotsi Sweden, Ruotsalainen Swede. Compare Arabic †Rūs , (collective noun, 9th cent.), Byzantine Greek οἱ Ῥῶς (plural, 9th cent.), post-classical Latin Rhos (11th cent., in an annal for the year 839), all with reference to the ethnic or social group from either Eastern Europe or Scandinavia.
In β. forms after Russian n. and adj. Now rare.
A. adj.
Russian.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 306/22
Rusland and the Rus se.
1589 P. Jones in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 421
Certaine Russe Cassaks, which are outlawes or banished men.
a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1661) 7
As in the Russe and Turkish Government.
a1670 S. Collins Present State Russia (1671) xv. 67
They count it a great sin for a Russ to lye with a Dutch woman or English Woman; but a venial Piccadillo for a Russ woman to prostitute her self to a Stranger.
1716 J. Perry State of Russia 7 (note)
A Ruble is 100 Russ Copeeks.
1780 W. Tooke tr. J. G. Georgi Russia II. 319
The liquors in use among the Russians: viz. quas , braga , or small-beer, beer, and Russ brandy.
B. n.
1 a. A Russian. Also with unchanged plural (cf. Rus n.1). In quot. 1537 with reference to White Russians; cf. White Russian n.
1537 tr. Original & Sprynge all Sectes f. 47,
The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth.
1589 P. Jones in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 421
They..slew diuers of the Russes that were of the ship.
c1626 A. Garden Theatre Sc. Worthies (1878) 83
When that great Rushe whom thow calls rude arose.
1655 J. Cotgrave Wits Interpreter (1662) 270
The Rush with sable furrs his cap.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 8 Sept. (1974) VIII. 428
Here were some Russes come to see the King at dinner.
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe I. iii. 350
A Party of the Goths and wild Russes came down to seek for Booty.
1792 T. Paine Rights of Man ii. v. 167
The insulted German and the enslaved Spaniard, the Russ and the Pole, are beginning to think.
†b. A member of the Russian Church. Obs.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth xxi. f. 82,
The matter is not vnlike to make some schisme betwixt the Greeke & Russe Church, if the Russe holde this Patriarchship that he hath so well payed for, and the Greekes elect an other withall.
1600 S. Lewkenor Disc. Forraine Cities f. 55v,
The Russes..hold in all points the religion of the Grecians.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie 66
The Russes and the Greeks do not elevate the consecrated Bread to be worshipped at the Altar.
1729 T. Consett in tr. Present State Church of Russia I. Pref. p. xi,
From the Russes..we have a convincing Proof of the Subjection of the Russian Church to that of Constantinople.
In 1600, the Russian church is known to be the same as the Greek church.
2. The Russian language.
1570 in E. D. Morgan & C. H. Coote Early Voy. Russia & Persia (1886) II. 285
When the said lettre shalbe translated into rowse.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth xxvi. f. 107v,
A siluer bowle full of holy water, which they call in Russe, Sweta Voda.
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Muffet Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 913
In Russ and English they call it Mede.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. xxxii. 213
With the assistance of the Tartar boy, who spoke Turkish and Russ, I found my way to the sea-coast.
1761 Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 484
Ostrui, in Russ, signifies sharp.
The citations in chronological order.
1525a (1923) Rusland and the Rus se.
1537 The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth.
1538 They be nowe called Russyans, Moscouites, and Tartariens.
1570 (1886) ... shalbe translated into rowse.
1577 The Russians and Moscouians.
1583 , The speckled Russian Furres...
1589 Certaine Russe Cassaks, which are ...
1589 They..slew diuers of the Russes that were of the ship.
1591 , ... the Greeke & Russe Church, if the Russe ...
1591 G ...which they call in Russe, Sweta Voda.
1598 ...o daunce, Nor neuer more in Russian habite waite.
1598 What did the Russian whisper in your eare?
1600 The Russes..hold in all points the religion of the Grecians.
1601 (1603) ... for the warre after the Russian manner.
1607 . ... but hearts more rugged Then is the Russian Beare.
1607 ..the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father, ..the Russians....
1618a (1661) As in the Russe and Turkish Government.
1620 ... their boxes With Russian Sables, Miniuers, and Foxes.
1625 ...as including the most part of the Russian Empire.
1626c (1878) When that great Rushe whom thow calls rude arose.
1630 The Russian letter, corrupted...
1631a (1912) As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load.
1635 The Russes and the Greeks do not elevate the consecrated Bread...
1639 As coldly Dull As the slaved Russian.
1642 He smells like a piece of Russian Leather of Arminius.
1653 There we happened to meet with a Russian prisoner, that ...
1655 (1662) The Rush with sable furrs his cap.
1658 In Russ and English ...
1660 ... the Greek Church, the Russians, the Abyssines.
1663 ...the Russian or Muscovy Trade.
1664 (1669)Those two Sonnes of the Russian Eagle.
1665 ...Welch, Latine, or Russian.
1667 (1974) Here were some Russes come to see the King at dinner.
1669 ... upon the Cross in Russian Characters.
1670a (1671) ... a great sin for a Russ to lye ... for a Russ woman...
1674 The Russians are generally tall, the Laplanders..
1688 The Runt Pigeon or Russian Dove..are large Pigeons as...
1696 The first Russian that ha's been printed in England.
1697 Like the heat of a Russian-Summer, he ripened ...
1706 ... of Moscow, Capital of the Russian Empire....
1710 A Party of the Goths and wild Russes came down to ...
1716 A Ruble is 100 Russ Copeeks.
1718 (1965)... Hebrew, Armenian, Arabic, Persian, Russian, [etc.].
1718 (1965) My Grooms are Arabs;..my Housemaids Russians.
1728 If brush'd from Russian Wilds a cutting Gale Rise not.
1729 From the Russes... the Russian Church ...
1729 The Catholick and Apostolick Faith of ... Russians...
1737 No Lord's anointed, but a Russian Bear.
1753 The ballance of our Russian trade ...
1753 ... who spoke Turkish and Russ, ...
1758 In Siberia, where the Russian iron is produced,...
1761 Ostrui, in Russ, signifies sharp.
1770 .. the Russian baths [Fr. bains de Russie], ...
1773 The Russian leather ... with Russia oil.
1780 The most inveterate fomenter of hostilities against the Russians.
1780 The liquors in use among the Russians: ... and Russ brandy.
1781 Russian boots..are also recommended.
1781 Russian Eagle.
1781 (1980) ..., or Russian Matts in the same manner ...
1784 The Russians have also another method...
1785 ...sense of the Russian words and phrases.
1788 Of the sectaries of the Greek communion, the Russians were ...
1788 ...with a Russian hat on his head.
1789 Commonly sold in the shops under the name of Turkey or Russian Rhubarb.
1790 He speaks Russian with sufficient ease ...
1792 The insulted German and the enslaved Spaniard, the Russ ...
1797 The great goose.., weighing near 25 or 30 Russian pounds.
1797 The Russian cabbage was formerly in much greater esteem than at present.
1797 The Russian grammar above-mentioned.
1799 Thou shameless Russian-born wretch...
1799 The true russian tea is a concoction of honey, water...
1800 ... Pointer; as the Russian; in form like the Spanish.
Forms:
15 Russyan, 15– Russian, 16 Rushian.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Russianus, adjective (11th cent.)
< Russia (see Russia n.) + classical Latin -ānus -an suffix. Compare French russien (noun) Russian language (1575 in Middle French), (adjective) of or belonging to Russia (1589 in Middle French), Spanish rusiano (1569 as noun, denoting a Russian person, c1618 as adjective in the form †russiano ), Italian †russiano (a1448 as noun, denoting a Russian person, 1707 as adjective in sense ‘of or belonging to Russia’). Compare Rooshian n., Rooshian adj.
In sense A. 3 probably punningly after rush v.2 8 and (although this is first attested slightly later) rush n.2 10a.
A. n.
1 a. A member of an East Slavonic-speaking people living primarily in Russia and neighbouring countries; a native or inhabitant of Russia, or (more widely) its former empire or the former Soviet Union; a person of Russian nationality. Cf. Russ n., Great Russian n., Little Russian n., White Russian n.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. at Scytæ,
They be nowe called Russyans, Moscouites, and Tartariens.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 31v,
The Russians and Moscouians.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 443
What did the Russian whisper in your eare?
1639 G. Daniel Vervicensis 515
As coldly Dull As the slaved Russian.
1674 A. Cremer tr. J. Scheffer Hist. Lapland 15
The Russians are generally tall, the Laplanders..very short; those are fat and corpulent, these lean and slender.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Mar. (1965) I. 390
My Grooms are Arabs;..my Housemaids Russians.
1780 W. Coxe Acct. Russ. Discov. 139
The most inveterate fomenter of hostilities against the Russians.
b. A member of the Russian Orthodox Church.
1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 25
Which hold and affirme, that..the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father, but not from the sonne: as at this day..the Russians..maintaine.
1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. iii. 490
No man amongst them questions it, and all affirm it; particularly the Greek Church, the Russians, the Abyssines.
1729 T. Consett in tr. Present State Church of Russia Pref. p. xi,
The Catholick and Apostolick Faith of Grecians and Russians; that is, of the whole Eastern or Greek Church.
1788 Gibbon Decline & Fall VI. lxvii. 439
Of the sectaries of the Greek communion, the Russians were the most powerful, ignorant, and superstitious.
2. The Slavonic language of Russia; the official language of the (former) Soviet Union.
1665 Disc. conc. Devils & Spirits ii. v. 64 in R. Scot Discov. Witchcraft (ed. 3)
They do many times express themselves in Irish, Welch, Latine, or Russian.
1696 H. Wanley Let. 17 Apr. 33
The first Russian that ha's been printed in England.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 16 Mar. (1965) I. 390
In Pera they speak Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Arabic, Persian, Russian, [etc.].
1790 tr. J.-B.-B. de Lesseps Trav. Kamtschatka I. 214
He speaks Russian with sufficient ease to make himself understood.
B. adj.
1 a. Of, relating to, or characteristic of Russia, or (more widely) its former empire or the former Soviet Union; inhabiting or native to Russia, its former empire or the former Soviet Union. Cf. Russ adj., Great Russian adj., Little Russian adj., White Russian adj.
1583 A. Hawkins in G. Peckham True Rep. Newfound Landes sig. ∫.iiiv,
The speckled Russian Furres, that Esterlings vs sendes.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 401,
I will wish thee neuer more to daunce, Nor neuer more in Russian habite waite.
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Travellers Breviat (1603) 155
Horsemen with all necessaries meete for the warre after the Russian manner.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxvii. 104
There we happened to meet with a Russian prisoner, that received us very charitably.
1697 Dryden in tr. Virgil Wks. Ded. sig. A,
Like the heat of a Russian-Summer, he ripened the Fruits of Poetry in a cold climate.
1728 J. Thomson Spring 7
If brush'd from Russian Wilds a cutting Gale Rise not.
1797 Encycl. Brit. I. 659/2
The great goose.., weighing near 25 or 30 Russian pounds.
b. Of a merchant: that trades with Russia or in Russian goods. Also (of trade): conducted with Russia or in Russian goods.
a1631 J. Donne To Mr. E. G. in Poems (1912) I. 209
As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load.
1663 F. Philipps Antiq. Præ-emption & Pourveyance for King iii. 215
The many priviledges and immunities procured for our Merchants.., as that of..the Russian or Muscovy Trade.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. Introd. p. ix,
The ballance of our Russian trade is usually about a million rubles in favour of that empire.
2. Of, relating to, or written in the Russian language.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) ii. 67
The Russian letter, corrupted from the Greekish.
1669 W. Aglionby Present State United Provinces iii. xxvii. 356
They had found..something written upon the Cross in Russian Characters.
1785 Edinb. Mag. Apr. 305/2
The proper meaning and the grammatical sense of the Russian words and phrases.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 567/2
The Russian grammar above-mentioned.
3. Designating animals, plants, and plant products native to, originating in, or associated with Russia. See also Special uses 3.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 244/1
The Runt Pigeon or Russian Dove..are large Pigeons as big as young Hens.
1781 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. i. 43
Russian Eagle.
1789 Trans. Soc. Arts l. 94
Commonly sold in the shops under the name of Turkey or Russian Rhubarb.
1797 Encycl. Brit. III. 520/2
The Russian cabbage was formerly in much greater esteem than at present.
Compounds
Special uses
Russian-born adj.
1799 J. Scott tr. Ināyat Allāh Bahar-Danush II. xii. 65 Thou shameless Russian-born wretch, what abominable action is this?
S2.
Russian bath n. [after French bain de Russie (1768 in the passage translated in quot.1770)] a bath similar to a sauna, in which steam is produced by throwing water over heated stones; also fig.
1770 tr. J.-B. Chappe d'Auteroche Journey into Siberia 54 This first trial put me so much out of conceit with the Russian baths [Fr. bains de Russie], that I would not venture into them again during my five months stay at Tobolsky.
1863 C. J. Lever Day's Ride in All Year Round 16 Feb. 455/1 It is a sort of intellectual Russian bath, in which the luxury consists in the exaggerated alternative between being scalded first and rolled in the snow afterwards.
Russian bear n. a bear from Russia; (spec.) a national personification of Russia, its former empire, or the former Soviet Union.The figure of the Russian bear has often been used by hostile observers to represent the size, power, and potential threat posed by the Russian state; it has also on occasion been adopted by the Russians themselves as a symbol of their nation.
1607 T. Dekker Whore of Babylon sig. D, Oh, they ha snakes sleeky tongues, but hearts more rugged Then is the Russian Beare.
1737 Pope Epist. of Horace i. ii. 22 No Lord's anointed, but a Russian Bear.
Russian boot n. a leather boot that extends to the calf, usu. with a wide cuff; (in later use also) a leather boot loosely enclosing the calf.
1781 D. Barrington Miscellanies 59 Russian boots..are also recommended.
† Russian chess n. Obs. a form of chess played by four players with four sets of pieces.
[1784 W. Coxe Trav. Poland, Russia, Sweden, & Denmark I. 415 The Russians have also another method of playing at chess, namely, with four persons at the same time, two against two; and for this purpose the board is longer than usual, contains more men, and is provided with a greater number of squares.]
Russian eagle n. the double-headed eagle, one of the official state symbols of the (former) Russian Empire, the Russian Federation (since 1993), and the Russian Church; (also fig.) Russia or the Russian Empire, as symbolized by this.
The double-headed eagle, the official symbol of the former Byzantine Empire, was adopted by the Russian state in 1472, and remained a state symbol of the Russian Empire until the 1917 Revolution. In 1993 it was again adopted as an official state symbol of the Russian Federation.
1664 in G. Miège Relation of Three Embassies (1669) 177 Those two Sonnes of the Russian Eagle.
Russian Empire
n. now hist. the empire consisting of Tsarist Russia and the territories it governed; (occas. also) the Soviet Union viewed as resembling an imperial power. The Russian Empire originated in the expansion of the principality of Muscovy in the 15th–17th centuries, Ivan IV (‘the Terrible’) being crowned as the first Tsar in 1547. Peter the Great was the first Russian ruler to style himself imperator, ‘emperor’, in 1721. The Empire ended in the Russian Revolution of 1917, shortly after which the Soviet Union was formed.
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes I. ii. xi. 92 Ptolemey imagineth a line from Tanais Northwards; which well agrees to the method of our History, as including the most part of the Russian Empire.
1706 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. to North ix. 134 John Duke of Volodimir..seiz'd the City of Moscow, Capital of the Russian Empire, and expell'd the Tartars out of his Territories.
Russian hat n. a fur hat of Russian make or design, typically brimless and cylindrical with flexible ear flaps which can be tied under the chin or over the crown; cf. shapka n.
1788 J. Pinkerton tr. G. J. Thorkelin Fragm. Eng. & Irish Hist. 3 He met with a man at the door cloathed in purple, with a Russian hat on his head.
Russian iron n. now hist. = Russia iron n. at Russia n. 3a.
1758 Scots Mag. July 341/2 In Siberia, where the Russian iron is produced, the wages and victuals of a labourer is but about a penny Sterling a-day.
Russian leather n. = Russia leather n.
1642 G. T. Roger the Canterburian 3 He smells like a piece of Russian Leather of Arminius.
1773 Art Tanning & Currying Leather 198 The Russian leather being thus printed, is smeared with Russia oil.
Russian mat n. now hist. a piece of Russian matting, used esp. for insulation or protective covering.
1781 S. Greig Let. 25 Oct. in Mariner's Mirror (1980) 66 268 The Inflammatory property is rather inherent in the oyls as I find it will kindle Hemp, or Russian Matts in the same manner as it kindles Lamp-black.
Russian sable n. a skin or pelt of the sable, Martes zibellina; the heavy dark fur of this, esp. as used to make coats.
1620 J. Taylor Praise of Hemp-seed 6 If Hempseed did not oft supply their boxes With Russian Sables, Miniuers, and Foxes.
Russian tea n. †(a) an infusion of honey, pepper, and other ingredients (obs.); (b) tea grown in the Caucasus or a drink made from this; (c) any tea laced with lemon or rum.
1799 W. Tooke View Russ. Empire I. ii. i. 362 The true russian tea is a concoction of honey, water, and spanish pepper, and drank warm.
S3. In the names of plants and animals (cf. sense B. 3).
Russian pointer
. now rare a variety or breed of rough-haired gun dog originating in Russia; a dog of this variety or breed.
[1800 S. Edwards Cynographia Brit. at Canis Avicularis, There are other varieties of Pointer; as the Russian; in form like the Spanish.]
Forms:
α. 15 Rousse, 15 Rowse, 15 Rowsse, 15–17 Russe, 16– Russ; Sc. pre-17 Rus.
Etymology:
Originally
< early modern German russe, ruse, ruße, rusche (also reuse , rewzse , rewsse , reüsse ) native or inhabitant of Russia (Middle High German rūz , rūze , rūsze , rūsche , also (with mutation of the vowel and subsequent diphthongization) riuze , reusz ,reusze , reuse ; German Russe , (arch.) Reusse ); subsequently
< its etymon Old Russian Rus′, the name of the country, also the name of the people, earlier (in chronicles referring to events of the 9th and 10th cent., but compiled in the 12th cent. and extant in copies of the 14th cent. and later) the name of an ethnic or social group, ultimately of Scandinavian origin (Russian (now arch. and hist.)
Rus′ , the name of the country, also ‘people of Kievan Rus’, ‘Russians’, ‘people of Scandinavian origin who settled around Novgorod and Kiev’); further etymology uncertain (see note).
Compare post-classical Latin Russus (10th cent.; 12th cent. in a British source), Old Swedish Ryz , Ryze ,Rytz (13th cent.; Swedish Ryss ), Old Danish Ryzæ , Ryscæn , Rytzen (Danish Russer , †Rus , †Russe , †Rys , †Rysse , †Rysser , etc.), Old Norwegian (plural) Ruzar , Ryzar , Ryzir , Middle Dutch Ruse , Ruese , Rusche (Dutch Rus ), French Russe (1671 or earlier). Compare later Russian n., Russian adj., Russie adj., Russie n.
Old Russian Rus′ is usually taken to be
< a stem ultimately of early Scandinavian origin + Old Russian -′ , suffix forming collective nouns (originally a reduced front vowel, subsequently replaced by the palatalized quality of the preceding consonant; compare čud′ Finns, perm′ Permians, lib′ Livonians, prus′ Prussians, serb′ Serbs):
compare Old Swedish roþer rowing, roþrin , roþin ‘administrative subdivision in coastal Eastern Sweden’, and the first element in Old Swedish rodskarl (Swedishroskarl ) inhabitant of Roslagen, all
< the same Germanic base as row v.1; perhaps via a Finnic language, compare Finnish Ruotsi Sweden, Ruotsalainen Swede. Compare Arabic †Rūs , (collective noun, 9th cent.), Byzantine Greek οἱ Ῥῶς (plural, 9th cent.), post-classical Latin Rhos (11th cent., in an annal for the year 839), all with reference to the ethnic or social group from either Eastern Europe or Scandinavia.
In β. forms after Russian n. and adj. Now rare.
A. adj.
Russian.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 306/22
Rusland and the Rus se.
1589 P. Jones in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 421
Certaine Russe Cassaks, which are outlawes or banished men.
a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1661) 7
As in the Russe and Turkish Government.
a1670 S. Collins Present State Russia (1671) xv. 67
They count it a great sin for a Russ to lye with a Dutch woman or English Woman; but a venial Piccadillo for a Russ woman to prostitute her self to a Stranger.
1716 J. Perry State of Russia 7 (note)
A Ruble is 100 Russ Copeeks.
1780 W. Tooke tr. J. G. Georgi Russia II. 319
The liquors in use among the Russians: viz. quas , braga , or small-beer, beer, and Russ brandy.
B. n.
1 a. A Russian. Also with unchanged plural (cf. Rus n.1). In quot. 1537 with reference to White Russians; cf. White Russian n.
1537 tr. Original & Sprynge all Sectes f. 47,
The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth.
1589 P. Jones in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 421
They..slew diuers of the Russes that were of the ship.
c1626 A. Garden Theatre Sc. Worthies (1878) 83
When that great Rushe whom thow calls rude arose.
1655 J. Cotgrave Wits Interpreter (1662) 270
The Rush with sable furrs his cap.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 8 Sept. (1974) VIII. 428
Here were some Russes come to see the King at dinner.
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe I. iii. 350
A Party of the Goths and wild Russes came down to seek for Booty.
1792 T. Paine Rights of Man ii. v. 167
The insulted German and the enslaved Spaniard, the Russ and the Pole, are beginning to think.
†b. A member of the Russian Church. Obs.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth xxi. f. 82,
The matter is not vnlike to make some schisme betwixt the Greeke & Russe Church, if the Russe holde this Patriarchship that he hath so well payed for, and the Greekes elect an other withall.
1600 S. Lewkenor Disc. Forraine Cities f. 55v,
The Russes..hold in all points the religion of the Grecians.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie 66
The Russes and the Greeks do not elevate the consecrated Bread to be worshipped at the Altar.
1729 T. Consett in tr. Present State Church of Russia I. Pref. p. xi,
From the Russes..we have a convincing Proof of the Subjection of the Russian Church to that of Constantinople.
In 1600, the Russian church is known to be the same as the Greek church.
2. The Russian language.
1570 in E. D. Morgan & C. H. Coote Early Voy. Russia & Persia (1886) II. 285
When the said lettre shalbe translated into rowse.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth xxvi. f. 107v,
A siluer bowle full of holy water, which they call in Russe, Sweta Voda.
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Muffet Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 913
In Russ and English they call it Mede.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. xxxii. 213
With the assistance of the Tartar boy, who spoke Turkish and Russ, I found my way to the sea-coast.
1761 Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 484
Ostrui, in Russ, signifies sharp.
The citations in chronological order.
1525a (1923) Rusland and the Rus se.
1537 The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth.
1538 They be nowe called Russyans, Moscouites, and Tartariens.
1570 (1886) ... shalbe translated into rowse.
1577 The Russians and Moscouians.
1583 , The speckled Russian Furres...
1589 Certaine Russe Cassaks, which are ...
1589 They..slew diuers of the Russes that were of the ship.
1591 , ... the Greeke & Russe Church, if the Russe ...
1591 G ...which they call in Russe, Sweta Voda.
1598 ...o daunce, Nor neuer more in Russian habite waite.
1598 What did the Russian whisper in your eare?
1600 The Russes..hold in all points the religion of the Grecians.
1601 (1603) ... for the warre after the Russian manner.
1607 . ... but hearts more rugged Then is the Russian Beare.
1607 ..the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father, ..the Russians....
1618a (1661) As in the Russe and Turkish Government.
1620 ... their boxes With Russian Sables, Miniuers, and Foxes.
1625 ...as including the most part of the Russian Empire.
1626c (1878) When that great Rushe whom thow calls rude arose.
1630 The Russian letter, corrupted...
1631a (1912) As Russian Marchants, thy selfes whole vessell load.
1635 The Russes and the Greeks do not elevate the consecrated Bread...
1639 As coldly Dull As the slaved Russian.
1642 He smells like a piece of Russian Leather of Arminius.
1653 There we happened to meet with a Russian prisoner, that ...
1655 (1662) The Rush with sable furrs his cap.
1658 In Russ and English ...
1660 ... the Greek Church, the Russians, the Abyssines.
1663 ...the Russian or Muscovy Trade.
1664 (1669)Those two Sonnes of the Russian Eagle.
1665 ...Welch, Latine, or Russian.
1667 (1974) Here were some Russes come to see the King at dinner.
1669 ... upon the Cross in Russian Characters.
1670a (1671) ... a great sin for a Russ to lye ... for a Russ woman...
1674 The Russians are generally tall, the Laplanders..
1688 The Runt Pigeon or Russian Dove..are large Pigeons as...
1696 The first Russian that ha's been printed in England.
1697 Like the heat of a Russian-Summer, he ripened ...
1706 ... of Moscow, Capital of the Russian Empire....
1710 A Party of the Goths and wild Russes came down to ...
1716 A Ruble is 100 Russ Copeeks.
1718 (1965)... Hebrew, Armenian, Arabic, Persian, Russian, [etc.].
1718 (1965) My Grooms are Arabs;..my Housemaids Russians.
1728 If brush'd from Russian Wilds a cutting Gale Rise not.
1729 From the Russes... the Russian Church ...
1729 The Catholick and Apostolick Faith of ... Russians...
1737 No Lord's anointed, but a Russian Bear.
1753 The ballance of our Russian trade ...
1753 ... who spoke Turkish and Russ, ...
1758 In Siberia, where the Russian iron is produced,...
1761 Ostrui, in Russ, signifies sharp.
1770 .. the Russian baths [Fr. bains de Russie], ...
1773 The Russian leather ... with Russia oil.
1780 The most inveterate fomenter of hostilities against the Russians.
1780 The liquors in use among the Russians: ... and Russ brandy.
1781 Russian boots..are also recommended.
1781 Russian Eagle.
1781 (1980) ..., or Russian Matts in the same manner ...
1784 The Russians have also another method...
1785 ...sense of the Russian words and phrases.
1788 Of the sectaries of the Greek communion, the Russians were ...
1788 ...with a Russian hat on his head.
1789 Commonly sold in the shops under the name of Turkey or Russian Rhubarb.
1790 He speaks Russian with sufficient ease ...
1792 The insulted German and the enslaved Spaniard, the Russ ...
1797 The great goose.., weighing near 25 or 30 Russian pounds.
1797 The Russian cabbage was formerly in much greater esteem than at present.
1797 The Russian grammar above-mentioned.
1799 Thou shameless Russian-born wretch...
1799 The true russian tea is a concoction of honey, water...
1800 ... Pointer; as the Russian; in form like the Spanish.