commissar etymology

Etymology:

  • Derived from Russian komissar ("commissar"), which is ultimately from French commissaire ("commissioner"), which in turn comes from Latin commissus ("commission, charge")

Meaning and Origin:

  • A government official in the former Soviet Union and other communist countries responsible for political and military affairs, particularly within the armed forces.
  • The term originated during the French Revolution, where "commissaire" referred to individuals appointed by the government to oversee specific tasks.
  • In the early 20th century, the Bolsheviks in Russia adopted the term "commissar" for political officers in the Red Army and other organizations.
  • Commissars played a central role in maintaining party discipline and ensuring loyalty to the communist regime.
  • The term "commissar" became synonymous with political authority and became widely used in other communist countries.

Historical Usage:

  • The term "commissar" was used extensively in the Soviet Union, where commissars held positions of authority in the military, government, and even artistic organizations.
  • Commissars were responsible for enforcing communist ideology, suppressing dissent, and maintaining political control.
  • The role of commissars declined after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and was eventually abolished in the late 1960s.

Current Usage:

  • The term "commissar" is still occasionally used to refer to political officials in communist countries, although it is less common than in the past.
  • In some countries, the term "commissar" has negative connotations, associated with authoritarianism and political repression.
  • In other contexts, the term may be used more neutrally, referring to any official responsible for overseeing a particular task or organization.

commissar relate terms

  • commissary

    Etymology The word commissary derives from the Latin word commissum meaning commis

  • commit

    Etymology The word commit comes from the Latin word committere which means to put t

  • commissariat

    Etymology French commissariat from Late Latin commissariatus from Late Latin commi

  • commissary

    Etymology The word commissary derives from the Latin word commissum meaning commis

  • commissar

    Etymology Derived from Russian komissar commissar which is ultimately from French

  • official

    Etymology Official is derived from the Middle French word official which in turn come

  • political

    Etymology The word political comes from the Greek word politikos which means of or

  • devotion

    Etymology The word devotion comes from the Latin word devotio which means dedicatio

  • cognitive

    Etymology The word cognitive is derived from the Latin word cognoscere which means

  • record

    Etymology Middle English recordan from Anglo Norman French recorder from Medieval La

  • gospel

    Etymology and Origin The term gospel comes from the Old English word godspel which

  • paradigm

    Etymology Greek paradigma παράδειγμα meaning example model or pat

  • peremptory

    Etymology peremptory adj Middle English peremptorie 15th century from Latin pere

  • host

    Etymology The word host comes from the Old English word hōst which in turn is deri

  • hector

    Etymology The name Hector has ancient Greek origins It is derived from the Greek word