noun /ruːs,rʌs/
a) A group of Scandinavian warrior merchants who travelled Eastern European river-roads from the eighth century.
And if a Rus hits a Greek, or a Greek a Rus with a sword, a spear or any other weapon, he shall pay five litres of silver for his offence, in accordance with Rus law; and if he be unable (insolvent—Author) his property shall be sold for the best price it fetches, including the very clothes . . .
b) The ruling class and their retinue, of Scandinavian origin, who settled among the Eastern Slavs around Kiev and the Dnieper by the tenth century.
If a Varangian claimed money from a Rus, or a Rus from a Varangian, and the debtor refused to pay, the plaintiff, accompanied by twelve witnesses, . . .
See Also: Belarus, Belarusian, Little Russia, Little Russian, Rusnak, Russniak, Russia, Russian, Rusyn, Ruthenia, Ruthene, Ruthenian
Wikipedia foundation.