A member of a Russian revolutionary movement in the 1820s that attempted to overthrow the tsar.
From Russian 'dekabrist' (from 'dekabr,' December), named after the December 1825 Decembrist Revolt. The word entered English as historians documented this pivotal moment in Russian history.
These rebels are called 'Decembrists' because they staged their coup in December 1825—it's one of history's most noble failures, as these idealistic soldiers were brutally crushed but became martyrs for Russian freedom.
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