boyar

(bō yär, bo̵iər)

noun

  1. a member of the privileged aristocracy in czarist Russia, ranking just below the ruling princes: the rank was abolished by Peter I
  2. a member of the privileged aristocracy in Romania

Origin: Russ boyarin, pl. boyare, grandee < boj, battle < IE base *bhei-, to strike

Also boyard

See boyar in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A member of a class of higher Russian nobility that until the time of Peter I headed the civil and military administration of the country and participated in an early duma.

Origin:

Origin: From boiaren

Origin: , from Russian boyarin

Origin: , from Old Russian boljarin

Origin: , from Turkic baylar

Origin: , pl. of bay, rich, Turkish bay, rich, gentleman

.

Learn more about boyar

link/cite print suggestion box