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Glite Dictionary
Maffia

Maffia

9.1
A secret criminal group from Sicily that controls illegal activities
  • noun
  • /ˈmæfiə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Mafia

Examples

  • NINA CASSOTTO MAFFIA.

    Beyond the Sea (2004)

  • Bring to an end the Soviet empire... and its 70 year experiment of comunism... continuing stife in... regions, along with widespread corruption and economic misery resulting in a virtual tidal wave of crime.... the Russian maffia has involved into a world class organized crime network, with profits in billions including substantial US operations.

    The Jackal (1997)

  • The police arrested several members of the local maffia involved in drug trafficking.

  • The documentary revealed how the maffia operates under a veil of secrecy in Sicily.

  • Historically, the maffia was formed in response to tyranny and injustices in society.

Synonyms

Mafia
vsMaffia
130 4.4

A secret group that commits crimes and controls illegal businesses

emphasizes original Sicilian roots and past opposition to tyranny rather than current crime
Cosa Nostra
vsMaffia
  • NSFW
6 8.9

An organized criminal group in the United States linked to the Sicilian Mafia

emphasizes Sicilian origin and historical resistance rather than only US family structure
Sicilian Mafia
vsMaffia
  • NSFW
1 6.7

An organized criminal group from Sicily that uses violence to control illegal businesses

focuses on original opposition to tyranny and later involvement in organized crime

Surface Forms

Maffia singular
Maffias plural
Mafias plural
Mafia singular

Etymology

The word Maffia comes from Sicily and likely from the Sicilian word mafiusu, which meant 'bold' or someone who gives 'protection'. So the name came to mean a secret group that protects its members and controls things, and today it refers to a criminal organization.