office
Tselovalnik (Tavern-Keeper)
tavern-keeper
also: целовальник, tselovalnik
A historical Russian sworn office (literally "one who kisses the cross" in his oath), later a licensed liquor-seller; the narrator claims the title purely for its root, tselovat, "to kiss."
Reading notes
- My Ranks and Titles §11 tavern-keeper
Tselovalnik, a historical Russian office: a sworn officer (originally 'one who kisses the cross' in his oath) entrusted with tax collection or, later, licensed liquor sales. The narrator claims the title purely for its root, tselovat, 'to kiss.'