Czar
/zɑːr/noun
The title of an emperor of Russia prior to 1917.
Did you know?The term 'Czar' is derived from the Latin 'Caesar', which was used to signify a ruler with absolute power, hinting at a legacy of divine right and autocracy.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
Caesar
“A family name that became synonymous with ruler and emperor.”
Byzantine Greek
Greek
Καῖσαρ (Kaisar)
“Adopted from Latin, used to refer to emperors in the Byzantine Empire.”
Old Church Slavonic
Slavonic
царь (tsar')
“Directly borrowed from the Greek, meaning ruler or king.”
14th Century
Russian
царь (tsar')
“The title for the supreme ruler of Russia, reflecting the grandeur of the position.”
Modern English
English
czar
“Adopted in the 16th Century to refer to Russian emperors, often with a connotation of autocracy.”