Russian

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Etymology

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A back-formation from Uzbek bosmachi, from bosma (raid) + the agent suffix -chi. It was conceived as a plural form by Russian and the final vowel was dropped to create a singular form.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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басма́ч (basmáčm anim (genitive басмача́, nominative plural басмачи́, genitive plural басмаче́й)

  1. mujahid (a Muslim engaging in jihad, Central Asia during 1917–26)
  2. Basmachi (Muslim anti-Bolshevik fighter in Central Asia during 1917-26)
  3. (humorous, endearing) a term of endearment, commonly used in reference to young people

Declension

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