Russia

Forms

Russia f sg (genitive Russiae); first declension^[1] Ruscia is a variant,^[2] and the Leges Edwardi Confessoris have the form Russeia.^[3]

Etymology

It is a Latinisation, made in the 11th century, from Old East Slavic Русь (Rusĭ).^[1] Köbler gives it as a variant of Ruscia and connects it with Ruscus.^[2] The DMLBS compares russus (“red”) and Old Norse rus.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Leges Edwardi Confessoris tell of someone who fled to the land of the Rugi, “which we call Russia”.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Orderic Vitalis tells of someone who, returning through Russia, married Malfrid, a king's daughter.^[3] In New Latin it is the usual name of the country,^[1][4] and Graesse's Orbis Latinus gives it for Russia.^[4]

Timeline

• 11th century – The Latin name is formed from Old East Slavic.^[1]

Meanings

Proper noun

1. (Medieval Latin) The land of the Rus'.^[3][2]
2. (New Latin) Russia.^[1][4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c Graesse, J. G. Th., Friedrich Benedict, and Ernst Plechl (1909), Orbis Latinus: Lexikon lateinischer geographischer Namen, 2nd ed., Berlin: R. C. Schmidt