Standard Lemma guide

fasces

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈfæsiːz/
  • fas'-eez
  • rhymes with -æsiːz

1

noun

Meaning 1

A Roman symbol of judicial authority consisting of a bundle of wooden sticks, with an axe blade embedded in the centre; used also as a symbol of fascism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

bundle of rods containing an axe with the blade protruding; in ancient Rome it was a symbol of a magistrate's power; in modern Italy it is a symbol of fascism

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: emblem, allegory

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin fascēs (plural of fascis).

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 束棒 (shùbàng) — bundle
  • Danish: fasces — bundle
  • Danish: liktorbundt — bundle
  • Finnish: fasces — bundle
  • French: faisceau — bundle
  • German: Faszes — bundle
  • German: Liktorenbündel — bundle
  • Greek: φάσκες (fáskes) — bundle
  • Icelandic: axarvöndur — bundle
  • Italian: fascio m fascio littorio — bundle
  • Japanese: 束桿 — bundle
  • Macedonian: фасции (fascii) — bundle
  • Portuguese: fasces — bundle
  • Russian: фасции (fascii) — bundle
  • Russian: фасцы (fascy) — bundle