— sovietdom /soh"vee et'deuhm, -it-, soh'vee et"-/ , n.
/soh"vee et', -it, soh'vee et"/ , n.
1. (in the Soviet Union).
a. (before the revolution) any governmental council.
b. (after the revolution) a local council, originally elected only by manual workers, with certain powers of local administration.
c. (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, Soviets . a governing official or person living in the Soviet Union: The Soviets have denied our charge.
adj.
4. of or pertaining to a soviet.
5. ( cap. ) of the Soviet Union: a Soviet statesman.
[ 1915-20; sovét council, counsel, advice, ORuss, OCS suvetu, equiv. to su- together, with + vetu counsel; calque of Gk symboúlion ]