COMMISSAR


Meaning of COMMISSAR in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.