释义 |
Mafia or Maffia /mäˈfē-ə/ noun- A spirit of opposition to the law in Sicily, hence a preference for private and unofficial rather than legal justice
- A secret criminal society originating in Sicily, controlling many illegal activities, eg gambling, narcotics, etc, in many parts of the world, and particularly active in the USA (also called Cosa Nostra)
- (also without cap) any group considered to be like the Mafia in the criminal and unscrupulous use of power, fear, etc to gain its ends
ORIGIN: Sicilian Ital mafia Mafioso /-fē-ōˈsō, -zō/ noun (pl Mafiosi /-sē, -zē/) A member of the Mafia (also without cap and as adjective) |