The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fasces \Fas"ces\, n. pl. [L., pl. of fascis bundle; cf. fascia a
   band, and Gr. fa`kelos a bundle.], (Rom. Antiq.)
   A bundle of rods, having among them an ax with the blade
   projecting, borne before the Roman magistrates as a badge of
   their authority.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fasces
    n 1: bundle of rods containing an axe with the blade protruding;
         in ancient Rome it was a symbol of a magistrate's power; in
         modern Italy it is a symbol of fascism

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

82 Moby Thesaurus words for "fasces":
   armory, badge, badge of office, badges, bale, baton, bindle,
   blazonry, bolt, bouquet, brassard, budget, bundle, button,
   caduceus, cap and gown, chain, chain of office, class ring,
   cockade, collar, crook, crosier, cross, cross-staff, deck,
   decoration, dress, eagle, emblems, ensigns, fagot, fardel, fascine,
   figurehead, fleur-de-lis, gavel, hammer and sickle, heraldry,
   insignia, lapel pin, livery, mace, mantle, markings, medal,
   mortarboard, nosegay, old school tie, pack, package, packet,
   parcel, pin, portfolio, posy, quiver, regalia, ring, rod,
   rod of office, roll, rose, rouleau, scepter, school ring, shamrock,
   sheaf, sigillography, skull and crossbones, sphragistics, staff,
   swastika, tartan, thistle, tie, truncheon, truss, uniform, verge,
   wand, wand of office