Ivan IV

noun

Ivan the Terrible,1530–84, first czar of Russia 1547–84.

British Dictionary definitions for ivan the terrible

Ivan IV

noun

known as Ivan the Terrible. 1530–84, grand duke of Muscovy (1533–47) and first tsar of Russia (1547–84). He conquered Kazan (1552), Astrakhan (1556), and Siberia (1581), but was defeated by Poland in the Livonian War (1558–82) after which his rule became increasingly oppressive

Cultural definitions for ivan the terrible

Ivan the Terrible
[ (eye-vuhn, ee-vahn) ]

A Russian czar of the sixteenth century. Ivan struggled constantly with the nobles of Russia and became famous for his brutality toward his enemies.