soviet: Meaning and Definition of

so•vi•et

Pronunciation: (sō'vē-et", -it, sō"vē-et'), [key]
— n.
  1. (in the Soviet Union).
    1. (before the revolution) any governmental council.
    2. (after the revolution) a local council, originally elected only by manual workers, with certain powers of local administration.
    3. (after the revolution) a higher council elected by a local council, being part of a hierarchy of soviets culminating in the Supreme Soviet.
  2. any similar council or assembly connected with a socialistic governmental system elsewhere.
  3. (cap.) Often,a governing official or person living in the Soviet Union: The Soviets have denied our charge.
—adj.
  1. of or pertaining to a soviet.
  2. (cap.) of the Soviet Union: a Soviet statesman.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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