Prussia

From New Latin Prūssia, a Latinization used by Peter of Dusburg of a Baltic (Old Prussian, or perhaps Lithuanian or Latvian) autonym. The Proto-Indo-European source of the name is unclear; more at Prussia. Compare the Proto-Balto-Slavic *prus-sk-[1], whose cognates include Sanskrit प्रुष्णोति (pruṣṇóti, “sprinkle”)[1], Czech prskat (“splutter, sizzle”)[1] and Serbo-Croatian prskati (“splash”)[1], and thus signifying "watery land".

The Middle English designation for the region, Pruce, derives from the same Latinization and is the source of the terms pruce and spruce.

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹʌʃə/
• Rhymes: -ʌʃə

Prussia

1. (chiefly historical) A geographical area on the Baltic coast of northeastern Europe.
2. (historical) A Baltic country located in this area, conquered by the Teutonic Order and ultimately absorbed into Germany.
3. (historical) A German province which was originally located in this area but later greatly expanded, and which was the predecessor to and a member of the German Empire; abolished as an administrative unit at the end of the Second World War.

In the Baltic languages the 'u' is long; it was also long in Middle English, but it has become short in modern English.

• Prussian

• suparis

Prussia f

1. Obsolete spelling of Prússia
   • 1914, David Lloyd George, A Guerra Europea, Harrison and Sons, page 2:

     Porque é que a Austria e a Prussia não estão cumprindo com a sua parte do contracto ?

     Why are Austria and Prussia not performing the obligations of their bond ?