White Russia
- proper noun
- Archaic
:
Blanco Rusia
- The region historically known as White Russia became the modern nation of Belarus in 1991.
Examples
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In older documents, Belarus is often referred to as White Russia.
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Many émigrés from White Russia settled in Paris after the Russian Revolution.
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Many people still refer to White Russia.
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Did you know that White Russia was once part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?
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In older documents, Belarus is often referred to as White Russia.
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Many émigrés from White Russia settled in Paris after the Russian Revolution.
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The region historically known as White Russia became the modern nation of Belarus in 1991.
Synonyms
20
2.8
A country in Eastern Europe with capital Minsk
3
9.0
Former name of the country now called Belarus used during the Soviet era
1
4.3
A country in eastern Europe that used to be part of the Soviet Union
Surface Forms
Morphology
White + Russia
The compound is literally built from 'white' + 'Russia', so a B1 learner who knows both words will likely infer it refers to a geographical or historical region related to Russia. However, recognizing that it specifically names the country Belarus (a historical exonym) and the political/historical nuance is not predictable from the parts alone and requires background knowledge. This partial predictability places it between fully transparent composition and an opaque idiom.
Etymology
White Russia may come from old words White and Russia. One popular story says White meant 'free' land, so White Russia became an old name for the country now called 'Belarus'.