fascist English · revision 39652

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1919, Observer|origins=la fascis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈfæʃɪst/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|it|fascista]],^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(AHD 2024)^(Hoad 1986) formed with the suffix [[m|it|-ista|t=-ist]] on [[m|it|fascio|t=group, association; literally, bundle]],^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)^(Ayto 2005) from [[la|fascis|t=bundle]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Ayto 2005) the word behind the Roman [[fasces]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Italian movement took its name from the ''Fascio'', the fighting force that Benito Mussolini formed in March 1919 to oppose communism.^(Hoad 1986) Etymonline notes that [[m|it|fasci]], groups of men organized for political purposes, had existed in Sicily since about 1895, and that the 20th-century sense probably came straight from them, influenced by the Roman fasces, which became the party's emblem.^(Etymonline) Barnhart explains the adjective ''fascista'' as "of the group", literally "of the bundle", with reference to the fasces.^(Barnhart 1988) The English word also appeared in the Italian plural form [[m|it|fascisti]], which until about 1923 was often used in English as an Italian word.^(Etymonline) The noun [[fascism]] (1922) was borrowed from [[m|it|fascismo]], on the model of the Italian names of other movements such as [[m|it|comunismo]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A member of one of the nationalist ''fasci'' in Italy just after the First World War, and later of Mussolini's National Fascist Party: 1919, in the ''Observer''.^(OED 2026) Merriam-Webster also gives 1919;^(MWU 2024) Barnhart dates the noun to 1921 and Etymonline the adjective to 1921 and the noun to 1922.^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was soon applied outside Italy: from 1921 to any member of a political organization advocating fascism, or to a follower of its ideas,^(OED 2026) and Barnhart finds it used of supporters of the Fascists' ideas in any country by 1928.^(Barnhart 1988) The adjective, of the Italian movement, is recorded from 1921 and of fascism in general from 1922.^(OED 2026) Fowler, writing in the 1930 reprint of his ''Modern English Usage'', doubted whether the full anglicization of the words was worth while until it was known whether the things were permanent in England.^(Etymonline) In disparaging extended use, of a person seen as autocratic, intolerant or oppressive, the adjective is recorded from 1941 and the noun from 1945;^(OED 2026) with a modifying word, the noun dates from 1958.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1919 – a member of an Italian nationalist ''fascio''.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1921 – a follower of fascism in any country; adjective, of the Italian Fascists.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1922 – adjective, of fascism in general.^(OED 2026) The noun ''fascism''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1928 – a supporter of Fascist ideas in any country.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1941 – adjective, autocratic or intolerant (disparaging).^(OED 2026)

+ * 1945 – noun, an autocratic or intolerant person (disparaging).^(OED 2026)

+ * 1958 – with a modifying word, a person who imposes their views in one field of life.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # (often capitalised) A member or supporter of the Italian [[nationalist]] movement led by Benito Mussolini, which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943.^(Collins 2023)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A follower or advocate of [[fascism]] or of a similar [[authoritarian]] right-wing movement.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # (disparaging) A person regarded as [[intolerant]], domineering or [[oppressive]], especially one who tries to force others to accept their views.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to, or supporting fascism or fascists; also ''Fascist'', of the Italian movement.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # (disparaging) Autocratic, intolerant or oppressive.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fascistically]]

+ * [[fascistize]]

+ * [[nonfascist]]

+ * [[prefascist]]

+ * [[profascist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fascism]]

+ * [[fasces]]

+ * [[fascicle]]

+ * [[fascia]]

+ * [[fascine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}