Definition

A method of secretly printing and sharing literature that is banned by the government, especially in the former Soviet Union.

Example

During the Soviet era, many writers used samizdat to share their works without government approval.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of samizdat?

Yeah, I read about it in a history book. It's fascinating how people shared banned literature.

Right? I think the courage it took to distribute samizdat is incredible.

Absolutely, it really shows the power of words in oppressive regimes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Samizdat is a Russian term formed from "sami" (meaning self) and "dat" (meaning to give). It refers to the practice of self-publishing and distributing literature, particularly in the context of censorship, where individuals would produce and share works without official approval.

Memory Tip

Think of 'self' ('sami') and 'to give' ('dat') to remember that 'samizdat' means self-published literature shared among individuals.

Visually Confused Words