Caucasus

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɔːkÉ™sÉ™s/

Origin

Via Latin Caucasus, from Ancient Greek Καύκασος.

Full definition of Caucasus

Proper noun

1. a mountain range in Eastern Europe and West Asia, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, on the territory of Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which includes the ranges of Greater Caucasus and Lesser Caucasus
• 1851, Lieutenant Maturin Murray, The Circassian Slave, or The Sultan's Favorite:... from the long and rugged ravines of the Caucasus, ...
• 1887, Walter Savage Landor, Gebir:Driven with that weak blast which Winter leaves,
  Closing his palace gates on Caucasus,
  ...
• 1895, Robert W. Chambers, The King In Yellow:Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium writhed in the throes of Anarchy, while Russia, watching from the Caucasus, stooped and bound them one by one.
2. (geopolitical) The Eurasian region home of the aforementioned mountain range.

Usage notes

Usually as the Caucasus, but not always (see quot. 1887)

Related terms

• Caucasian
• Caucasology
• Greater Caucasus
• Lesser Caucasus
• North Caucasus
• South Caucasus