2 syllables: Fas, ces. Stress on Fas.
FAS-iz
/ˈfæsɪz/
Fasces is pronounced FAS-iz (/ˈfæsɪz/). It has two syllables (Fas-ces), with the stress on "Fas". Fasces is a plural noun referring to a bundle of rods often bound around an axe, historically symbolizing authority and collective strength. In antiquity it denotes fasces carried by Roman lictors as a symbol of magistrates’ power. In modern usage, the term appears in academic, historical, and political contexts to signify unity and authority.
nounFasces is a plural noun referring to a bundle of rods often bound around an axe, historically symbolizing authority and collective strength. In antiquity it denotes fasces carried by Roman lictors as a symbol of magistrates’ power. In modern usage, the term appears in academic, historical, and political contexts to signify unity and authority.
"The Roman consul displayed the fasces as a symbol of jurisdiction and power."
"Scholars cite the fasces as an emblem of unity forged from many individuals."
"The government adopted the fasces in its seal to imply collective authority."
Pronounce as /ˈfæsɪz/ in US/UK/AU. The first syllable uses a short a as in cat, with primary stress on syllable one. The second syllable is a short i as in it, followed by a z sound. Phonetic breakdown: /f/ (lip closure for /f/), /æ/ (low-front open), /s/ (alveolar /s/), /ɪ/ (short i), /z/ (voiced z). You’ll hear a quick, light second syllable; ensure the sibilant is voiced. Audio reference: listen for the subtle vowel difference between the two syllables and the final voiced /z/ rather than /s/.
Two frequent errors: (1) misplacing the stress, pronouncing as fa-CES or FAH-ses instead of FAS-es. (2) Substituting the final /z/ with /s/ or a voiceless s: fas-ses instead of fas-es with a voiced /z/. Correct by keeping primary stress on first syllable and ending with a clear /z/ voicing. Tip: practice saying fás-ess with a light, voiced z, not an sibilant hiss.
In US/UK/AU the pronunciation is essentially /ˈfæsɪz/. The main variation is vowel quality: US and AU may have slightly darker ortense /æ/ and the /ɪ/ can be a bit centralized in fast speech. The final /z/ remains voiced in all three. Rhoticity does not shift the word; the consonant cluster remains the same. Overall, you’ll hear very similar pronunciation across these accents, with minor vowel duration differences.
The challenge is the short, lax vowels in both syllables and the transition from /æ/ to /ɪ/ before the /z/. The cluster /sɪ/ can blur when spoken quickly, making it sound like /ˈfæsəs/ or /ˈfæzɪz/. Focus on keeping a crisp, voiced final /z/ and a distinct /ɪ/ before it. Slow, deliberate articulation helps, followed by rhythm training so the syllables stay separate.
No; the 'c' is not silent. The sequence /sɪ/ follows the /æ/; the 'c' contributes to the /s/ sound in the first syllable. The second syllable begins with /ɪ/ and ends with the voiced /z/. Emphasize the /s/ sound that comes after /æ/ and before /ɪ/ as a crisp, clean /s/ before the /ɪ/; this helps prevent a mispronunciation like /ˈfæːzɛs/.
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Fasces comes from the Latin fasces, plural of fascis, meaning a bundle or sheaf of rods. In ancient Rome, a fasces was a bundle of rods tied around an axe, carried by lictors as a symbol of civil authority and magistrates’ jurisdiction. The term appears in late Latin as fasces and entered English via scholarly and classical texts. The image of the bundle signified strength in unity: many rods bound together are harder to break than a single rod. The word first shows up in English in the 16th–17th centuries through academic quotations of Roman law and governance. Over time, fasces has accrued broader symbolic meanings in political iconography, including associations with republicanism, empire, and authority, and, in the 20th century, controversial usage as a symbol by certain regimes. In modern discourse, fasces often appears in discussions of law, justice, and the aesthetics of classical symbolism. It remains more common in academic writing than in everyday conversation, but the term is widely recognized in political and historical contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fasces" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Fasces"
-ses sounds
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