Camorra

[ kuh-mawr-uh, -mor-uh; Italian kah-mawr-rah ]

noun

1. a secret society of Naples, Italy, first publicly known about 1820, that developed into a powerful political organization and was later associated with blackmail, robbery, etc., until its destruction in 1911.
2. (lowercase) any similar society or group.

Camorra

/ kəˈmɒrə /

noun

1. a secret society organized in about 1820 in Naples, which thrives on blackmail and extortion
2. any similar clandestine group

Other Words From

• Ca·morrism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Camorra¹

1860–65; < Italian < Spanish: dispute, quarrel (of uncertain origin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Camorra¹

C19: from Italian, probably from Spanish: quarrel

Example Sentences

The US Treasury Department describes the Kinahan cartel as one of the most dangerous in the world, comparable to crime organisations such as Italy's Camorra, Mexico's Los Zetas and Japan's Yakuza.

From BBC

The difference is McCall is more uniquely suited to take on the Camorra.

From Seattle Times

He just has to dispatch the bloodthirsty Camorra gang, who seek to intimidate the residents out of their homes so that they can develop resorts and casinos.

From Seattle Times

"When the Camorra wants to fix something, what it does not do is somehow establish contact with the employees of the haematology department of a hospital in Como," he told BBC Sounds.

From BBC

Vincenzo La Porta, 60, is thought to have close ties to the Camorra organised crime gang in Naples.

From BBC