n.
Pronunciation: ' fa- ˌ shi-z ə m also ' fa- ˌ si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
Date: 1921
1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control <early instances of army fascism and brutality ― J. W. Aldridge>
– fas · cist \ -shist also -sist \ noun or adjective often cap
– fas · cis · tic \ fa- ' shis-tik also - ' sis- \ adjective often cap
– fas · cis · ti · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb often cap