[fas.cism] n [It fascismo, fr. fascio bundle, fasces, group, fr. L fascis bundle & fasces fasces] (1921) 1 often cap: 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 ~ and brutality --J. W. Aldridge" -- fas.cist n or adj, often cap -- fas.cis.tic adj, often cap -- fas.cis.ti.cal.ly adv, often cap