a town of European Russia, on the river of the same name, in the government and 100 miles E.N.E. of Smolensk. It is enclosed by walls and built chiefly of wood. The principal buildings are a kremlin or fortress, a large number of churches and convents, and various schools. Some trade is carried on in corn, hemp, and linen. The French were defeated here by the Russians, October 22, 1812, when a great part of the town was destroyed by fire. Pop. 12,000.