commissariat

American  

[kom-uh-sair-ee-uht] / ˌkɒm əˈsɛər i ət /

noun

1. any of the major governmental divisions of the U.S.S.R.: called ministry since 1946.

2. the organized method or manner by which food, equipment, transport, etc., is delivered to armies.

3. the department of an army charged with supplying provisions.

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commissariat British  

/ ˌkɒmɪˈsɛərɪət /

noun

1. Now called: ministry.  (in the former Soviet Union) a government department before 1946

2. 1. a military department in charge of food supplies, equipment, etc

   2. the offices of such a department

3. food supplies

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Etymology

Origin of commissariat

1600–10; < New Latin commissāriātus, equivalent to Medieval Latin commissāri ( us ) commissary + -ātus -ate ³; commissariat ( def. 1 ) < Russian komissariát ≪ New Latin, as above