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The flag of Prussia from 1892 to 1918.


From the New Latin Prussia, a Latinization used by Peter of Dusburg of a Baltic (Old Prussian, or perhaps Lithuanian or Latvian) autonym. The Middle English designation for the region, Pruce, derives from the same Latinization and is the source of the terms pruce and spruce.


Proper noun[edit]


  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.

Usage notes[edit]

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

Related terms[edit]