Veliky Novgorod
1
8.8
- proper noun
- Trade routes connecting Europe and Asia once passed through Veliky Novgorod, contributing to its prosperity in the Middle Ages.
Examples
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The city of Veliky Novgorod played a pivotal role in the formation of the Russian state.
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Many tourists visit Veliky Novgorod to admire its ancient Kremlin and historic churches.
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I visited Veliky Novgorod last summer.
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Have you ever been to Veliky Novgorod?
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Many tourists visit Veliky Novgorod to admire its ancient Kremlin and historic churches.
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The city of Veliky Novgorod played a pivotal role in the formation of the Russian state.
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Trade routes connecting Europe and Asia once passed through Veliky Novgorod, contributing to its prosperity in the Middle Ages.
Synonyms
1
8.6
A city in northwestern Russia on the Volkhov River, known as the country's oldest city and a medieval trading center
Surface Forms
Morphology
Veliky + Novgorod
Although 'Veliky' is not an English dictionary word, it functions as the adjective 'great' in Russian; combined with the place-name 'Novgorod' the phrase transparently reads as 'Great Novgorod' — i.e., the name of a city. As a toponym with no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer it refers to a (notable/historic) city.
Etymology
Veliky Novgorod comes from the words Veliky and Novgorod, which mean 'great' and 'new town' in old Russian. It began as a 'new town' and then grew into a very important trading and political centre, so people added 'great' to show its importance.