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Varangian

[ vuh-ran-jee-uhn ]

noun

  1. any of the Northmen who, under Rurik, established a dynasty in Russia in the 9th century.
  2. a member of the bodyguard Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperors, especially in the 11th and 12th centuries, made up of Northmen, Anglo-Saxons, and other northern Europeans.


adjective

  1. of or relating to the Varangians.

Varangian

/ vəˈrændʒɪən /

noun

  1. one of the Scandinavian peoples who invaded and settled parts of Russia and Ukraine from the 8th to the 11th centuries, and who formed the bodyguard of the Byzantine emperor ( Varangian Guard ) in the late 10th and 11th centuries
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. of or relating to the Varangians
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of Varangian1

C18: from Medieval Latin Varangus, from Medieval Greek Barangos, from Old Norse Væringi, probably from vār pledge
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Example Sentences

Glycerium responded, with a slight air of constraint, “Sigurd Olafson, the young Varangian captain.”

Its rulers were brave, their Varangian followers were courageous, the city was strong.

It was probably about the 9th century that the Chudes became tributary to the Varangian-Russian states.

The Varangian princes, invited by the Novgorodians, of whom Rurik was the chief, soon signalized themselves by great expeditions.

I found the kislischi nearly identical with the ancient Scandinavian mead: no doubt it dates from the Varangian rule in Russia.

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VaranasiVardar