Dnieper

English

The Dnieper basin from space, highlighting the numerous reservoirs created during the Soviet era by hydroelectric dams

Alternative forms

• Dniepr, Dnepr, Dnipr
• Dneiper, Dneipr

Etymology

From French Dnieper, from Russian Днепр (Dnepr), from Old East Slavic Дънѣпръ (Dŭněprŭ), from Proto-Slavic *Dъněprъ, from Scythian/Old Ossetic (Sarmatian) *Dānu Apara ("Far River") or *Dānapr (“Deep River”). The former derivation would pair it with the Dniester (“Near River”), while the latter would refer to its lack of fords. Doublet of Dnipro and Danasper. See also Latin Danapris and Ancient Greek Δάναπρις (Dánapris).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈniːpəɹ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /(də)ˈniːpə/
• Rhymes: -iːpə(ɹ)

Proper noun

Dnieper

1. A major river of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, flowing into the Black Sea. (see usage notes)

Usage notes

Dnieper used to be the more common name of the river, but now Dnipro is more popular in English-language sources. Dnieper can be also used to distinguish the upper reaches of the river in Russia and Belarus as opposed to its lower course through Ukraine.

References

• “Dnieper”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “Dnieper”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “Dnieper”, in Collins English Dictionary.

Anagrams

• pederin, red pine, repined, ripened

Portuguese

Proper noun

Dnieper m

1. Alternative form of Dniepre