Russify

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make something adopt Russian language, culture, or customs ; to impose Russian characteristics on a person, group, or region ; to integrate or transform according to Russian norms
2. To convert or adapt objects, institutions, or individuals to Russian style or usage ; to influence or alter cultural, social, or political aspects to align with Russian identity ; to promote Russification in various contexts
3. To infuse Russian elements into language, traditions, or governance ; to cause assimilation into Russian ways ; to modify or reshape in accordance with Russian standards or heritage

Etymology: "Russify" is a plain formation: the combining form "Russo-", from Latin "Russus" meaning Russian, joined to the suffix "-ify", which comes through French from Latin "-ificare" and turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning to make or cause something to become that thing. Put together, it means to make something Russian. The word follows a familiar pattern in English, where "-ify" has produced many verbs for making things conform to a type, such as "Americanize" or "Anglicize" (though "russify" itself uses "-ify" rather than "-ize"). Its meaning covers both language and culture, so a region, a school, or a person can be "russified" when Russian language, customs, or administrative norms are imposed on it.

Synonyms: russianize, russificate

Antonyms: derussify, de-russianize