HETMAN, a military title formerly in use in Poland ; the hetman wielki, or great hetman, was the chief of the armed forces of the nation, and commanded in the field, except when the king was present in person. The office was abolished in 1792. From Poland the word was introduced into Russia in the form ataman, and was adopted by the Cossacks as a title for their head, who was practically an independent prince, when under the suzerainty of Poland. After the acceptance of Russian rule by the Cossacks in 1654, the post was shorn of its power. "Ataman" or "hetman" was also the name of the elected elder of the stanitsa, the unit of Cossack administration. See COSSACKS.