voivode

English

Etymology

Variously from a number of Slavic languages: Bulgarian войвода, Serbo-Croatian vòjvoda, Czech vojvoda, Polish wojewoda, all from a Slavonic base.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈvɔɪvəʊd/

Noun

voivode (plural voivodes)

1. A local ruler or official in various parts of central and eastern Europe, especially early semi-independent rulers of Transylvania.
   • 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Chapter 3:

     Who was it but one of my own race who as Voivode crossed the Danube and beat the Turk on his own ground? This was a Dracula indeed!

2. An administrative chief in modern Poland.

Alternative forms

• voivod
• vaivode
• waywode