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Menshevik

or men·she·vik

[ men-shuh-vik; Russian myin-shi-vyeek ]

noun

, plural Men·she·viks, Men·she·vik·i [men, -sh, uh, -vik-ee, -vee-kee, myin-shi-vyi-, kyee].
  1. a member of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party in opposition to the Bolsheviks: advocated gradual development of full socialism through parliamentary government and cooperation with bourgeois parties; absorbed into the Communist party formed in 1918.


Menshevik

/ ˈmɛnʃɪvɪk /

noun

  1. a member of the moderate wing of the Russian Social Democratic Party, advocating gradual reform to achieve socialism Compare Bolshevik
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈMenshevism, noun
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Other Words From

  • Men·she·vism [men, -sh, uh, -viz-, uh, m], noun
  • Menshe·vist adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of Menshevik1

1905–10; < Russian menʾshevík, equivalent to ménʾsh ( ) lesser (comparative of málenʾkiĭ small; compare menʾshinstvó minority) + -evik, variant of -ovik noun suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of Menshevik1

C20: from Russian, literally: minority, from menshe less, from malo few
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Example Sentences

Are we depriving ourselves of Cadet and Menshevik criticisms of the corruption of the working class?

One of the Menshevik orators attempted incidentally to represent me as a defender of militarism in general.

In Russia "Bolshevik" means majority, and "Menshevik" minority.

An old Menshevik, he was the originator and most urgent supporter of the decree annulling the foreign debts.

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