swastika

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noun swas·ti·ka \ ˈswäs-ti-kə also swä-ˈstē- \

Definition of swastika

1 :a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction

2 :a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

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Recent Examples of swastika from the Web

A former classmate of Borden told police Borden held a knife inches from his face, drew swastikas and called him ‘

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "One Of The White Supremacists Who Beat Deandre Harris In Charlottesville Is Arrested," 28 Aug. 2017
On the storefront of the Valley Mart, at Strode Avenue and Valley Road, there was a swastika, as well as white-nationalist codes, 14:88 and 23:16.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Coatesville man who claimed white supremacist ties charged in graffiti case," 24 Aug. 2017
The owners of a New Milford restaurant arrived Wednesday morning to find a racial slur and swastika painted across the front door and windows of their business.

— sandra gomez-aceves, courant.com, "Racial Slur, Swastika Painted On New Milford Restaurant," 23 Aug. 2017
This new generation thrives off of subtext—small cues, images of a cartoon frog called Pepe, reconverted swastikas that can go undetected.

— rachel kaadzi ghansah, GQ, "A Most American Terrorist: The Making of Dylann Roof," 21 Aug. 2017
Children chalked drawings of peace signs, hearts and other images in front of the home in which two blue swastikas were found.

— jane morice, cleveland.com, "Hundreds attend Lakewood rally in response to swastikas painted on driveway," 20 Aug. 2017
BERLIN - In a verdant German village, a church bell that bears a swastika tolls.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "In German village, church bell still tolls for Hitler," 19 Aug. 2017
The two sides then carried the red banner and the swastika; so did the combatants on Saturday.

— ben shapiro, National Review, "Antifa and the Alt-Right, Growing in Opposition to One Another," 15 Aug. 2017
On Tuesday, a Middle Eastern restaurant was vandalized when a suspect drew a swastika and anti-refugee words in chalk in front of the restaurant.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Police investigate possible hate crime in vandalism of car," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swastika.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of swastika

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

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First Known Use: 1871

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SWASTIKA Defined for English Language Learners

swastika

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noun

Definition of swastika for English Language Learners

: a symbol in the form of a cross with its ends bent at right angles all in the same direction

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swastika

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Definition of swastika for English Language Learners

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