Mafia
noun
- in Sicily,
- an attitude of popular hostility to law and government
- a secret society characterized by this attitude
- in the U.S. and elsewhere, a secret society, of Italian origin, engaged in such illegal activities as gambling, prostitution, and illicit trade in narcotics
- any group engaged in such activities: the Russian mafia
- any exclusive or dominating group
See Mafia in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(mäˈfē-ə)
noun- A secret criminal organization operating mainly in the United States and Italy and engaged in illegal activities such as gambling, drug-dealing, protection, and prostitution.
- Any of various similar criminal organizations, especially when dominated by members of the same nationality.
- A secret criminal organization operating mainly in Sicily since the early 19th century and known for its intimidation of and retribution against law enforcement officials and witnesses.
- often mafia Informal A tightly knit group of trusted associates, as of a political leader: “[He] is one of the personal mafia that [the chancellor] brought with him to Bonn” (Christian Science Monitor).
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