A member of a paramilitary organization, especially the stormtroopers (SA) of Nazi Germany who wore brown uniforms.
From 'brown' plus 'shirt', literally describing the brown uniform worn by members of the Nazi SA (Sturmabteilung); used to refer to fascist paramilitary organizations generally.
The term 'brownshirt' became a historical warning label—it reminds us that fashion choices can signal political violence, and today the word carries heavy weight as shorthand for any group using uniforms and intimidation to gain political power.
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