A samovar is a large decorated container for heating water, traditionally used in Russia for making tea.
samovar in British English
(ˈsæməˌvɑː, ˌsæməˈvɑː)
noun
(esp in Russia) a metal urn for making tea, in which the water is heated esp formerly by charcoal held in an inner container or nowadays more usually by electricity
Word origin
C19: from Russian, from samo- self (related to same) + varit' to boil
samovar in American English
(ˈsæməˌvɑr; ˌ sɑməˈvɑr)
noun
a metal urn with a spigot and an internal tube for heating water in making tea: used esp. in Russia
Word origin
Russ, lit., self-boiler < samo-, self (see samizdat) + varit', to boil, akin to Lith vìrti, to boil < IE *(a)wer- < base *awe-, to moisten, flow > water
Examples of 'samovar' in a sentence
samovar
Inside the hut, sitting beside a large samovar which they were feeding with charcoal chips, were two Russian sergeants.
Shah, Idries KARA KUSH (2002)
Not far from the bridge he found a small café, and sat down beside the huge samovar.
Shah, Idries KARA KUSH (2002)
The tea arrived in a small tarnished samovar on a circular reed tray with two tall glasses suspended in brass holders.
Mark Burnell CHAMELEON (2002)
The tea arrived in a small tarnished samovar on a circular reed tray with two tallglasses suspended in brass holders.