Cossack

[ kos-ak, -uh k ]

/ ˈkɒs æk, -ək /

noun

(especially in czarist Russia) a person belonging to any of certain groups of Slavs living chiefly in the southern part of Russia in Europe and forming an elite corps of horsemen.

Origin of Cossack

1590–1600; < Polish kozak or Ukrainian kozák, ultimately < a Turkic word taken to mean “adventurer, freebooter,” adopted as an ethnic name by Turkic tribal groups of the Eurasian steppes

Example sentences from the Web for cossack

The decision maker turned out to be a gray-haired Cossack ataman, or commander, in a traditional sheepskin hat.

Held at Gunpoint by Ukraine Rebels |Anna Nemtsova |May 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Subject has military bearing, short haircut, brought a military uniform or wears the Cossack chevron insignia.

Russia Tells ‘Tourists’ How to Go Fight in Ukraine |Oleg Shynkarenko |April 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Yet this was not enough for the Tsars, who saw a risk of the Cossack worldview catching on.

Cossacks: The Cowboys of Crimea |Kamil Tchorek |March 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But in the current crisis, appropriately enough, the nature of a Cossack remains hard to pin down.

Cossacks: The Cowboys of Crimea |Kamil Tchorek |March 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Historically, the Cossack way of living was one of disorder and adaption, of individualism and egalitarianism.

Cossacks: The Cowboys of Crimea |Kamil Tchorek |March 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He grew up in Siberia, and was drafted into a Cossack regiment.

The Vultures |Henry Seton Merriman
Then what is it you have in that little packet you took from the Cossack uniform at so great a cost as a burned hand?

Boy Scouts Mysterious Signal |G. Harvey Ralphson
A second later the handle was wrenched open, and the door flew back with a bang, while the Cossack almost fell into the carriage.

A Gallant Grenadier |F.S. Brereton
Suffice it to say that typical Cossack conditions prevailed.

The Great Steel Strike and its Lessons |William Z. Foster
Who could the Cossack have been—why hadn't he returned to his comrades?

Trusia |Davis Brinton

British Dictionary definitions for cossack

Cossack

/ (ˈkɒsæk) /

noun

(formerly) any of the free warrior-peasants of chiefly East Slavonic descent who lived in communes, esp in Ukraine, and served as cavalry under the tsars

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cossacks a Cossack dance

Word Origin for Cossack

C16: from Russian kazak vagabond, of Turkic origin

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

Cossack

noun

Origin of Cossack

Example sentences from the Web for cossack

British Dictionary definitions for cossack

noun

adjective

Word Origin for Cossack