Russian doll
1
3.7
- noun
- /ˈrʌʃən dɔl/
:
matrioshka
- Children love to play with Russian dolls because they enjoy opening one to find a smaller doll inside.
Examples
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The traditional Russian doll set is made of wood and features intricate designs on each layer.
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My little Russian doll...
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Then Masha danced away behind the curtain, and the lovely dancer stepped off the stage right toward Corinne, holding a Russian doll in her extended hand.
Fiction book (1998) -
At the art exhibit, there was a stunning display of Russian dolls showcasing craftsmanship from various artists.
Synonyms
1
9.8
A set of Russian wooden dolls that fit inside each other
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: a 'Russian' (relating to Russia) 'doll' (a toy figure), so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand it denotes a doll associated with Russia. While the specific cultural notion of nested dolls (matryoshka) is a conventionalized extension, the basic referent is transparently derivable from the constituents and follows a common compounding pattern.
Etymology
Russian doll comes from a traditional toy made in Russia: wooden doll figures that get smaller and smaller and are placed one 'inside' another. Because each larger doll opens to show a hidden smaller one, the clear image of things fitting 'inside' each other explains the toy's name and its current meaning.