Mordovian

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the Mordovian people, their culture, language, or the Republic of Mordovia in Russia, including aspects of their ethnic identity and traditions
2. Pertaining to the ethnic group native to Mordovia, their linguistic heritage, or anything connected to the geographical region within Russia known as Mordovia
3. Connected with the Mordovian community, including their folklore, language group (Mordvinic languages), or the political and cultural characteristics of Mordovia in the Russian Federation

Etymology: Mordovian is a straightforward formation: the name Mordovia, the region of the Russian Federation that is home to the Mordvin peoples, plus the suffix "-an", which English uses to turn place names into adjectives and nouns meaning "of or belonging to" that place. The suffix itself has a long pedigree, passing from Latin "-ānus" through Old French "-ain" into Middle English as "-an", so the same ending that sits in "Roman" or "Lutheran" appears here as well. The word is therefore a modern coinage built on an older pattern rather than a term with a history of its own in English. Its meaning has stayed close to its origin: it names things connected with the Mordvin community, their languages and folklore, and the cultural and political character of Mordovia itself. What is inherited is the suffix, while the base name is the region's own.

Synonyms: Mordvin, Mordvinian