Etymology

Noun

1. A Russian unit of length, equivalent to about 1.07 kilometres.
   • 1918: ‘Is it much further, Michael?’ she asked the clerk, to dispel the thoughts that frightened her. ‘They say it's seven versts from this village.’ — Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, tr. Louise & Aylmer Maude (Oxford 1998, p. 604)
   • 1988: You have to tramp three or four versts to get to the exhibition of war loot, past Fabergé eggs and the Impressionists. — Anthony Burgess, Any Old Iron

Adjective