n.
Pronunciation: ˌ kä-m ə - ' ser- ē - ə t, esp for 3 - ' sär-
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin commissariatus, from Medieval Latin commissarius
Date: 1779
1 : a system for supplying an army with food
2 : food supplies
3 [Russian komissariat, from German Kommissariat, from New Latin commissariatus ] : a government department in the U.S.S.R. until 1946
4 : a board of commissioners