noun
Cossack
KOS-ak
noun
1
A member of a historically semi-independent warrior community from Eastern Europe, especially southern Russia and Ukraine.
"The Cossacks were renowned for their horsemanship and fierce cavalry charges."
2
A soldier serving in a Cossack military unit.
"The tsar relied on Cossack regiments to guard the empire's southern frontier."
How to Use Cossack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA member of a historic Eastern European people known for horsemanship and military tradition.
Word Forms
Cossacks plural
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The _____ were renowned for their horsemanship and fierce cavalry charges.
Etymology
From French cosaque, from Polish Kozak, ultimately from a Turkic word meaning "free adventurer" or "raider."