English

Proper noun

Caucasus

1. a mountain range in Eastern Europe, 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) A geopolitical region in Eastern Europe, deriving its name from the aforementioned mountains.

Usage notes

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

Translations

Related terms

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