ˈkäməˌsär, -sȧ(r, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Russian komissar, from German kommissar commissary, from Medieval Latin commissarius one to whom something is entrusted — more at commissary
1.
a. : a Communist party official assigned to a military unit or sometimes to a civilian group to teach party principles and policies and to ensure party loyalty — called also political commissar
b. : one resembling or held to resemble a political commissar especially in attempting to control public opinion or its expression
would-be commissars of culture — G.B.Oxnam
2.
a. : a Soviet government official
b. : the head of a government department in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics until 1946
Commissar of Justice
Commissar for Foreign Affairs
— called also people's commissar