Afrikaans

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Etymology

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From Dutch Wit-Rusland, equivalent to native wit +‎ Rusland.

Proper noun

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Wit-Rusland

  1. Belarus (a country in Eastern Europe; capital: Minsk)
    Synonym: Belarus

Usage notes

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The term Wit-Rusland has mostly been displaced by the term Belarus, especially among younger Afrikaans speakers, and is sometimes considered dated.

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Dutch

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Etymology

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From wit (white) +‎ Rusland (Russia), a calque of Russian Белору́ссия (Belorússija). Cognate with German Weißrussland, English White Russia, Faroese Hvítarussland, Swedish Vitryssland among others.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˌʋɪtˈrʏs.lɑnt/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: Wit-Rus‧land

Proper noun

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Wit-Rusland n (adjective Wit-Russisch, demonym Wit-Rus m or Wit-Russin f or Wit-Russische f)

  1. Belarus (a country in Eastern Europe)
    Synonyms: Belarus, (rare) Belaroes

Usage notes

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Descendants

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  • Afrikaans: Wit-Rusland