[], (Noun)

Definitions:
- Originally and chiefly in Russian-speaking contexts: a prisoner; a convict; (in early use) especially a person held in a forced labour camp in the U.S.S.R.


Phrases:

Origin:
1960s. From Russian zèk, zek convict, especially political prisoner, representing a pronunciation of z/k, an abbreviation of uncertain origin: probably originally representing zaključënnyj kanaloarmeec from zaključënnyj imprisoned + kanaloarmeec person working on construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal (from kanal + -o- + armeec member of an army, after krasnoarmeec, lit. ‘soldier of the Red Army’)