— boyarism, boyardism , n.
/boh yahr", boy"euhr/ , n.
1. Russian Hist. a member of the old nobility of Russia, before Peter the Great made rank dependent on state service.
2. a member of a former privileged class in Rumania.
Also, boyard /boh yahrd", boy"euhrd/ .
[ 1585-95; earlier boiaren boyárin, akin to OCS bolyarinu (translating Gk megistán man of high status), Bulg bolyár ( in ); of disputed orig. ]