Ruritania imaginary kingdom of Central Europe in Anthony Hope's novels The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and Rupert of Hentzau (1898); transf. petty state, esp. as a scene of court romance and intrigue XIX. f. L. rūs, rūr- country + -tania, of Lusitania, etc.
Hence Ruritanian XIX.

Ruritania an imaginary kingdom in SE Europe used as a fictional background for the adventure novels of courtly intrigue and romance written by Anthony Hope (1863–1933), notably The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and Rupert of Hentzau (1898).