swastika

[ swos-ti-kuhor, especially British, swas- ]

noun

1. a figure used as a symbol or an ornament in the Old World and in America since prehistoric times, consisting of a cross with arms of equal length, each arm having a continuation at right angles.
2. this figure as the official emblem of the Nazi party and the Third Reich.

swastika

/ ˈswɒstɪkə /

noun

1. a primitive religious symbol or ornament in the shape of a Greek cross, usually having the ends of the arms bent at right angles in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction
2. this symbol with clockwise arms, officially adopted in 1935 as the emblem of Nazi Germany

Other Words From

• swasti·kaed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swastika¹

1850–55; < Sanskrit svastika, equivalent to su- good, well (cognate with Greek eu- eu- ) + as- be ( is ) + -ti- abstract noun suffix + -ka secondary noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of swastika¹

C19: from Sanskrit svastika, from svasti prosperity; from the belief that it brings good luck

Example Sentences

The platform’s rules state that the site doesn’t allow media depicting hateful imagery such as the Nazi swastika in live videos, account bios, profiles or header images.

From Los Angeles Times

One employee had a swastika tattoo on his face.

From Los Angeles Times

It even led to a neo-Nazi group marching through the town with swastika banners.

From Salon

In August, a small group of people marched downtown during a jazz and blues festival, holding swastika flags.

From Los Angeles Times

In Germany, the President of the Technical University of Berlin was caught liking social media posts that contained swastikas and the press barely covered it.

From Salon