caporegime

[ kah-poh-ruh-zheem, kap-o- ]

noun

1. the second in command to a capo; Mafia lieutenant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caporegime¹

1970–75; < Italian, literally head of the regime; capo ², regime

Example Sentences

He became a caporegime, or captain, involved in various dealings including a massive gasoline bootlegging scheme, and was briefly portrayed in 1990 mob movie "Goodfellas".

From Reuters

After a long day, you start to feel like a mafia caporegime on collection day, only in this case you can’t kick the doors off some midtown accountant’s office and hold someone’s hand over a stovetop.

From Time

An underboss is on the lam, and a 450-lb. caporegime who survived 12 bullet wounds in a rubout attempt last summer has become a government witness.

From Time Magazine Archive