/ ˈsəʊviət; ˈsɒv-; NAmE ˈsoʊviet; ˈsɑːv-/ noun
1.
[ C ] an elected local, district or national council in the former USSR
2.
the Soviets [ pl. ] ( especially NAmE ) the people of the former USSR
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WORD ORIGIN
early 20th cent.: from Russian sovet council.