Mafia

American  

[mah-fee-uh, maf-ee-uh] / ˈmɑ fi ə, ˈmæf i ə /

Rarely Maffia

noun

1. the Mafia, a hierarchically structured secret organization allegedly engaged in smuggling, racketeering, trafficking in narcotics, and other criminal activities in the United States, Italy, and elsewhere.

2. Usually mafia any criminal organization viewed as similar to the Mafia.

   The movie concerns a low-life gambler who borrows money from the French mafia for a seat at a high-stakes poker game.

3. Often mafia any small but powerful or influential group in an organization or field; an inordinately prominent and controlling clique.

   It was difficult to be the only woman involved in this macho, musical mafia.

4. (in Sicily)

   1. mafia, a popular attitude of hostility to legal restraint and to the law, often manifesting itself in criminal acts.

   2. a 19th-century secret society, similar to the Camorra in Naples, associated with this attitude toward law and crime.

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Mafia British  

/ ˈmæfɪə /

noun

1. an international secret organization founded in Sicily, probably in opposition to tyranny. It developed into a criminal organization and in the late 19th century was carried to the US by Italian immigrants

2. any group considered to resemble the Mafia See also Black Hand Camorra Cosa Nostra

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Mafia Cultural  

1. A criminal organization that originated in Sicily and was brought to the United States by Italian immigrants in the late nineteenth century. The Mafia is also called the Syndicate, the Mob, and the Cosa Nostra (Our Thing). The Mafia built its power through extortion (forcing tradesmen and shopkeepers to buy Mafia protection against destruction) and by dominating the bootlegging industry (the illegal production and distribution of liquor) during Prohibition. Members of the Mafia often lead outwardly respectable lives and maintain a variety of legitimate businesses as a front, or cover, for their criminal activities, which include extortion, gambling, and narcotics distribution.

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Etymology

Origin of Mafia

First recorded in 1870–75; from Italian, earlier maffia “arrogance” (in Sicilian: “bravery, excellence”), apparently a back formation from mafiuso mafioso ( def. )

Example Sentences

Adding another who had just skated with the team’s self-professed “Finnish Mafia” at the 4 Nations Face-Off was a no brainer.

From The Wall Street Journal

The case against Landa-Rodriguez and four other Mexican Mafia members was roiled when it emerged that Rocha had secretly recorded himself disparaging his government handlers.

From Los Angeles Times

He spent years in isolation after he says he was erroneously connected to the Mexican Mafia.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Sopranos” became an immediate cultural phenomenon when it premiered in January 1999, a Mafia drama with unusual depths of character development and narrative vigor.

From Los Angeles Times

My first pair has the symbol for Sk8 Mafia on it, which is the yellow M emoji.

From Los Angeles Times