vaivode

noun

vai·​vode
ˈvīˌvōd
variants or voivode or less commonly voivod
ˈvȯiˌ-
plural -s
: a military commander or governor of a town or province in various Slavic countries

Word History

Etymology

vaivode from New Latin & Italian vaivoda, from obsolete Hungarian vajvoda, from Serbian & Slovene vojvoda, from Old Bulgarian vojevoda, literally, chieftain, from voinŭ warrior, soldier (akin to Lithuanian vyti to pursue, hunt) + voditi to lead; voivode from Russian voevoda, from Old Bulgarian

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Dictionary Entries Near vaivode

Cite this Entry

“Vaivode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaivode. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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