The Kremlin is a type of city fortification. Such buildings arose for the first time in Kievan Rus. The topic of the article is the history of ancient Russian structures, as well as the etymology of the concept of the Kremlin.
Meaning of the word
What definition is given in the explanatory dictionaries? The Kremlin is, according to Dahl's dictionary, a fortress located inside the city. The Russian lexicographer gives this concept a number of definitions. Among them are archaisms such as the Detinets, serfs.
Morphological composition
The Kremlin is a male noun. This linguistic unit consists of a root and a zero suffix.
In fiction and journalistic texts, such a means of expression as personification is used. Its principle is based on the image of an inanimate object as animate. Examples:
- The Kremlin issued a final warning.
- The Kremlin has expressed a desire to limit the demonstration of this documentary.
In the given examples, the noun, the meaning of which is considered in the article, is identified with the concept of "power". The Kremlin in Moscow has long been the personification of the country's state power. This word is often found in journalistic literature, but it is in this interpretation that it does not always acquire a positive connotation.
Gang words
Dahl’s dictionary contains several adjectives derived from the noun referred to in this article. For example: "Kremlin". This concept is often found in modern Russian. As for the adjective “Kremlin,” which Dahl also mentions, this word has no relation to the fortress. The Kremlin was a tree standing alone in the open.
What is the Kremlin? The meaning of this word, unlike etymology, does not cause disagreement among linguists. This is a type of medieval building, which once upon a time was customary to erect from a tree. But in view of the numerous fires, the architects of Ancient Russia, like their European counterparts, made a reasonable decision to replace the tree with stone. Only two root words can be matched to this word. Moreover, in modern speech, only one of them occurs. Examples:
- The Kremlin secrets of the twentieth century remained unsolved.
- From childhood, the Kremlin wall inspired fear in him.
- A documentary film dedicated to the Kremlin wives was released.
Synonyms
What are the closest in meaning concepts to the noun "Kremlin"? The meaning of the word is fortress, fortification. These concepts are also synonyms. Examples:
- The Moscow Kremlin is a fortress located in the very heart of the capital and having high historical and artistic value.
- The Kremlin is a fortification consisting of walls and several towers.
History
The capital's attraction is one of the most famous in the world. “The Kremlin ... What kind of building is this?” Almost every resident of Moscow, having heard such a question, will only remember that ancient fortress, which is located in the center of his native city. Whereas the word “Kremlin” has a more general meaning. What is this, long before the Muscovites knew, according to some researchers, residents of Astrakhan. And the origin of this word is by no means Russian. In olden times, fortresses were in every Russian city. Nevertheless, this type of structure is associated, first of all, with a magnificent architectural ensemble, located in the very center of the capital.
The Moscow fortress was erected in 1156. Fires in those years were not uncommon. And therefore, until the inhabitants of the Moscow principality learned how to use more reliable material in construction, they had to repeatedly erect new fortifications designed to save them from enemy invasions.
For the first time, Dmitry Ivanovich came up with the idea of building solid walls of stone. For these purposes, limestone was delivered. And after the new fortress was built, the center of Moscow took shape, thanks to which the capital is today called Belokamennaya. The modern look of the Kremlin took shape at the end of the fifteenth century. Architects from all over Russia arrived in the city in order to participate in the construction of the landmark, which today, in the 21st century, pleases Russians and excites the consciousness of foreigners.
Pskov
The word “Kremlin”, the meaning of which we examined in this article, denotes the type of structure that is present in many ancient Russian cities. In Pskov it is also called Krom. It is located near the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskov rivers. The original wooden structure dates back to the eighth century. The first stone fortifications appeared presumably in the tenth century. The Pskov Kremlin has long served to store food supplies. No one lived here. Theft from this vault was considered a state crime and was punishable by death.
In other cities
The Kremlin in Tula was built in the sixteenth century. This building was erected for more than ten years. Unlike its brothers, the Tula Kremlin has never surrendered to the enemy. Under its walls, foreign troops suffered more than one defeat.
The wooden Kremlin in Astrakhan was built in the middle of the sixteenth century. Stone was erected under Ivan the Terrible. At first, the fortifications were very modest. Additional buildings arose over several centuries. Initially, this Kremlin had eight towers. Seven have survived to this day.
In addition to Moscow, Pskov, Astrakhan and Tula, the Kremlin is in such cities as Kolomna, Zaraysk, Tobolsk, Kazan, Suzdal. Each of them has a high historical value.