English

Noun

voivode ‎(plural voivodes)

1. A local ruler or official in various parts of central and eastern Europe, especially early semi-independent rulers of Transylvania.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.27:

     George Sechell […], having beene defeated in a battell by the Vayvoda of Transilvania, and taken Prisoner, was for three dayes together tyed naked to a wooden-horse, exposed to all manner of tortures, any man might devise against him […].

   • 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Chapter 3:

     Who was it but one of my own race who as Voivode crossed the Danube and beat the Turk on his own ground? This was a Dracula indeed!

2. An administrative chief in modern Poland.

Alternative forms

• woiwode
• voevoda
• voivod
• vojvoda
• voevod
• vaivode
• wojewoda
• voyvoda
• voyevoda
• woywode
• vojvode

Translations

Derived terms

• voivodeship

Related terms

• Vojvodina