Menshevik

or men·she·vik

[ men-shuh-vik; Russian myin-shi-vyeek ]

noun

, plural Men·she·viks, Men·she·vik·i [men, -sh, uh, -vik-ee, -vee-kee, myin-shi-vyi-, kyee].

1. a member of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party in opposition to the Bolsheviks: advocated gradual development of full socialism through parliamentary government and cooperation with bourgeois parties; absorbed into the Communist party formed in 1918.

Menshevik

/ ˈmɛnʃɪvɪk /

noun

1. a member of the moderate wing of the Russian Social Democratic Party, advocating gradual reform to achieve socialism Compare Bolshevik

Derived Forms

• ˈMenshevism, noun

Other Words From

• Men·she·vism [men, -sh, uh, -viz-, uh, m], noun
• Menshe·vist adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Menshevik¹

1905–10; < Russian menʾshevík, equivalent to ménʾsh ( iĭ ) lesser (comparative of málenʾkiĭ small; compare menʾshinstvó minority) + -evik, variant of -ovik noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Menshevik¹

C20: from Russian, literally: minority, from menshe less, from malo few

Example Sentences

Are we depriving ourselves of Cadet and Menshevik criticisms of the corruption of the working class?

From Project Gutenberg

One of the Menshevik orators attempted incidentally to represent me as a defender of militarism in general.

From Project Gutenberg

In Russia "Bolshevik" means majority, and "Menshevik" minority.

From Project Gutenberg

An old Menshevik, he was the originator and most urgent supporter of the decree annulling the foreign debts.

From Project Gutenberg