Antifascists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals opposed to fascist ideologies and actions
2. activists who advocate against authoritarian and nationalistic movements
3. participants working to counter the influence and spread of totalitarian principles in society

Etymology: "Antifascists" is the plural of "antifascist," a noun for a person who opposes fascism. The base word, "fascist," came from Italian "fascista," which in turn derives from "fascio," meaning a bundle or group, from Latin "fascis," a bundle of rods. The Roman "fasces" was a bundle of rods bound around an axe, a symbol of magistrates' authority, and the Italian movement took its name from the image of collective unity that the bundle suggested. The prefix "anti-" comes from Greek "anti," meaning "against" or "opposite." Joined to "fascist," it produced a term for anyone standing in opposition to that movement and its ideology. The construction is transparent: the prefix does the work of naming the opposition, while the base carries the historical reference to Italian Fascism.

Synonyms: opponents of fascism, anti-authoritarians