(in ancient Rome) one or more bundles of rods containing an axe with its blade protruding; a symbol of a magistrate's power
2.
(in modern Italy) such an object used as the symbol of Fascism
Word origin
C16: from Latin, plural of fascis bundle
fasces in American English
(ˈfæsˌiz)
plural noun
a bundle of rods bound about an ax with projecting blade, carried before ancient Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority: later the symbol of Italian fascism
Word origin
L, pl. of fascis, a bundle, fagot, packet < OE base *bhasko-, bundle > MIr basc, neckband
Examples of 'fasces' in a sentence
fasces
He raised a withered fasces of fingers and pointed one at me.