The White Tsar
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
An epithet of the former Tsars of Russia, as Tsars of Muscovy; the King of Muscovy was called the White King from the robes which he wore. The King of Poland was called the Black King.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “The White Tsar” mean?
An epithet of the former Tsars of Russia, as Tsars of Muscovy; the King of Muscovy was called the White King from the robes which he wore. The King of Poland was called the Black King.
Is “The White Tsar” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.