commissar

[ kom-uh-sahr, kom-uh-sahr ]

noun

1. the head of any of the major governmental divisions of the U.S.S.R.: called minister since 1946.
2. an official in any communist government whose duties include political indoctrination, detection of political deviation, etc.

commissar

/ ˌkɒmɪˈsɑː; ˈkɒmɪˌsɑː /

noun

1. Also calledpolitical commissar an official of the Communist Party responsible for political education, esp in a military unit
2. Also calledPeople's Commissar (before 1946) the head of a government department Now calledminister

commissar

1. In various communist systems of government, an official assigned to a group to ensure the group's conformity to Communist party doctrine. The heads of government departments in the former Soviet Union were called commissars.

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissar¹

1915–20; < Russian komissár < German Kommissar < Medieval Latin commissārius commissary

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissar¹

C20: from Russian kommissar, from German, from Medieval Latin commissārius commissary

Example Sentences

It took a while, but Republicans have started to throw Commissar Norquist under the bus.

From The Daily Beast

Still from Biisk in the Altai country had just come a very important commissar.

From Project Gutenberg

The commissar began to protest heatedly, but Josip Pekic shook his head and tried to firm his less than dominating voice.

From Project Gutenberg

One Commissar was appointed by agreement between the Government and the Soviet.

From Project Gutenberg

That Commissar, according to the Commanding Officers, is undoubtedly useful.

From Project Gutenberg

When the latter passed a vote of censure upon the activities of a Commissar, he could practically do nothing more.

From Project Gutenberg