/zemst"voh/ ; Russ. /zyem"stveuh/ , n. , pl. zemstvos /zemst"vohz/ . Russ. Hist.
one of a system of elected local assemblies established in 1864 by Alexander II to replace the authority of the nobles in administering local affairs after the abolition of serfdom: became the core of the liberal movement from 1905 to 1917.
[ 1860-65; zémstvo, deriv. of zemlyá land, earth; see HUMUS ]