soviet

soviet [sō′vē et΄, sō′vēit; sō΄vē et′]

n.

[Russ sovyet, council, advice < s( o)-, together (< IE * kom-: see COM-) + -vèt, speak, ult. < IE base * weid-, to see, know, make known > WISE¹]

1.

a) any of the various governing councils that performed executive and legislative functions in the Soviet Union: in structure the soviets formed a pyramid, with the village and town soviets as its base and the SUPREME SOVIET as its apex

b) any similar council in a socialist governing system

2. [S-] [pl.] the government officials or the people of the Soviet Union, Russia, or Uzbekistan

adj.

1. of a soviet or soviets or government by soviets

2. [S-] of or connected with the Soviet Union