camorra
Noun: 1. A secret criminal organization: A specific, historically significant secret society based in Naples, Italy, notorious for its use of violence, intimidation, and extortion (blackmail). It is considered a precursor to modern organized crime groups in the region.
The word "camorra" is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific historical criminal organization. It is typically used in historical, sociological, or criminological contexts. * The 19th-century Camorra exerted control over much of Naples through fear. * Historians study the Camorra to understand the roots of Italian organized crime. * The authorities worked to dismantle the power of the Camorra.
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe any group perceived to operate with similar secretive, coercive, or corrupt practices, though this is less common.
- Critics accused the political faction of operating like a camorra, silencing opposition through backroom deals.
- Camorrist (noun): A member of the Camorra.
- The arrested man was alleged to be a camorrist.
- Camorristic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of the Camorra.
- The investigation uncovered camorristic methods of control.
The word "camorra" has no other distinct meanings in modern English. It refers exclusively to this criminal society or, by extension, its methods and members.
- Secret society
- Criminal organization / syndicate
- Mafia (specifically, the Sicilian Mafia is a distinct but related organization)
- Cosa Nostra (another specific name for the Sicilian Mafia)
There are no common English idioms that feature the word "camorra."
There are no phrasal verbs related to the noun "camorra."
-
a secret society in Naples notorious for violence and blackmail