swastika
swastika
UK[ˈswɒstɪkə]US[ˈswɑːstɪkə]
n
an ancient symbol in the form of an equal-armed cross with each arm continued at a right angle, used as a symbol of well-being in many cultures.
n
this symbol with the arms bent clockwise, adopted as the emblem of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany.
Etymology
The word 'swastika' entered English in the 19th century from the Sanskrit term 'svastika', which is derived from 'svasti' meaning 'well-being, good fortune'. 'Svasti' itself is a compound of the prefix 'su-' (good, well) and 'asti' (he/she/it is). The symbol is far older than its name in English, with archaeological evidence dating back to Neolithic Eurasia, where it represented concepts like the sun, prosperity, and good luck. Its tragic modern association stems from its appropriation in the early 20th century by nationalist and racist movements, most infamously as the central emblem of the Nazi Party, which reversed its historical positive connotations in the Western world.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from Sanskrit, adopted as a single lexical unit into English. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes.
Examples
The swastika is an ancient sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
The artifact was decorated with a clockwise swastika, a common motif in Native American art.
The display of the Nazi swastika is prohibited by law in several European countries.