matryoshka doll

noun

mat·​ry·​osh·​ka doll ˌma-trē-ˈäsh-kə- 

-ˈōsh-

variants or Matryoshka doll or matryoshka or Matryoshka

plural matryoshka dolls or Matryoshka dolls or matryoshkas or matryoshka or Matryoshkas or Matryoshka

: russian doll

… the Russian matryoshka doll that divides in the middle to reveal smaller versions of itself …

—Ruth Daniloff

… a variety of matryoshka (nesting dolls) from Russia …

—Danielle Arnet

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Russian matrëška "matryoshka doll," diminutive of Matrëša, hypocoristic form of Matrëna, Matrona, Russian female given name

Note: The first matryoshka doll was allegedly given the name Matrëna by its makers, the Russian wood turner and toy maker Vasilij Petrovič Zvëzdočkin and the painter and graphic artist Sergej Vasil'evič Maljutin, in 1890 (thus Russian Wikipedia, citing journalistic sources).

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above