IPA [tɐˈvarʲɪɕɕ]) (Russian archaic товарищ, tovarishch sense "business companion", often "travelmate", referring to the noun товар tovar "merchandise"; word perhaps ultimately from Turkic , possibly Tatar ) In the former Soviet Union, a comrade; often used as a form of address. Tsar also Czar , Tzar , Csar , and Zar