kremlin

See also: Kremlin

English

The kremlin of Kazan, Tatarstan

Etymology

Similar forms are attested, per Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary, in earlier German Kremelin and French Cremlin, which are theorized to come from Old East Slavic кремльнъ (kremlĭnŭ, “having a kremlin”), from кремль (kremlĭ), whence Russian кремль (kremlʹ).

Noun

kremlin (plural kremlins)

1. (architecture, Slavic architecture) A fortified, central complex found in various Russian cities.
   • 1997, Council of Europe, Cultural Policy in the Russian Federation, page 107:

     9% of historical parks are the gardens of monasteries and kremlins (fortified centres in the towns), 8% are urban ("public") gardens and only 2% are parks on urban estates.

   • 2012, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc, page 87:

     Several cities in Russia were built around fortresses called kremlins. Russians built kremlins for defense during the Middle Ages. A kremlin was often located along a river.

   • 2012, Konstantin Nossov, Russian Fortresses 1480-1682, page 45:

     The centre of the kremlin usually held the prince's or voivode’s court, the cathedral, and the bishop's court. This arrangement can be seen in quite a number of 16th-century kremlins. The main street of the kremlin connected this complex with the gate leading to the marketplace.

Translations

type of fortification

• Dutch: kremlin n
• Polish: kreml (pl) m
• Portuguese: kremlin m
• Russian: кремль (ru) m (kremlʹ)

Anagrams

• Minkler