commissariat

[ kom-uh-sair-ee-uht ]

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.

commissariat

/ ˌkɒmɪˈsɛərɪət /

noun

1. (in the former Soviet Union) a government department before 1946 Now calledministry
2. 1. a military department in charge of food supplies, equipment, etc
   2. the offices of such a department
3. food supplies

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissariat¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissariat¹

C17: from New Latin commissāriātus, from Medieval Latin commissārius commissary

Example Sentences

All were badly and insufficiently fed, as much from disorganized commissariat arrangements as from actual want of supplies.

From Project Gutenberg

By some extraordinary blunder of the commissariat the 32d had set forth that morning without breaking their fast.

From Project Gutenberg

What can they do without a commissariat, what can they do without pay, and who is to pay them in a bankrupt nation?

From Project Gutenberg

The French, on the contrary, gave cheques on their commissariat chest at Varna, which were only payable on presentation there.

From Project Gutenberg

A few days afterwards I received permission to draw rations from the commissariat, by order of the Secretary of State.

From Project Gutenberg