Plural of Slav; people who are part of a large ethnic and linguistic group primarily from Eastern Europe, including Russians, Poles, and Czechs.
From Medieval Latin Sclavus, which came from Old Church Slavonic. The etymology is debated, but may derive from the word 'slovo' meaning 'word' or 'speech,' essentially meaning 'people who speak the same language.' The term was adopted into English in the 17th century.
The word 'Slav' is related to the word 'slave'—not because Slavs were enslaved, but because medieval Latin speakers used 'Sclavus' for both Slavic people and enslaved people, a connection that became uncomfortably literal during European history, showing how language can carry dark historical baggage.
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