Russia
pronunciation
How to pronounce Russia in British English:
UK ['rʌʃə]
How to pronounce Russia in American English:
US ['rʌʃə]
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- Noun:
- a former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia; established in 1922; included Russia and 14 other soviet socialist republics (Ukraine and Byelorussia an others); officially dissolved 31 December 1991
- formerly the largest Soviet Socialist Republic in the USSR occupying eastern Europe and northern Asia
- a former empire in eastern Europe and northern Asia created in the 14th century with Moscow as the capital; powerful in 17-18th centuries under Peter the Great and Catherine the Great when Saint Petersburg was the capital; overthrown by revolution in 19
- a federation in northeastern Europe and northern Asia; formerly Soviet Russia; since 1991 an independent state
Word Origin
- Russia
- 1530s, from Medieval Latin Russi "the people of Russia," from Rus, the native name of the people and the country (source of Arabic Rus, Medieval Greek Rhos), originally the name of a group of Swedish merchant/warriors who established themselves around Kiev 9c. and founded the original Russian principality; perhaps from Ruotsi, the Finnish name for "Sweden," from Old Norse Roþrslandi, "the land of rowing," old name of Roslagen, where the Finns first encountered the Swedes. This is from Old Norse roðr "steering oar," from Proto-Germanic *rothra- "rudder," from PIE *rot-ro-, from root *ere- (1) "to row" (see row (v.)). Derivation from the IE root for "red," in reference to hair color, is considered less likely. Russian city-states were founded and ruled by Vikings and their descendants. The Russian form of the name, Rossiya, appears to be from Byzantine Greek Rhosia. Russification is from 1842.
Example
- 1. Russia and china had embraced capitalism .
- 2. Russia urgently needs a more diversified economy .
- 3. He will give the russia relationship his best shot .
- 4. What has russia agreed to ?
- 5. Russia pumps oil and gas .