Camorra
Americannoun
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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.
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(lowercase) any similar society or group.
noun
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a secret society organized in about 1820 in Naples, which thrives on blackmail and extortion
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any similar clandestine group
Other Word Forms
- Camorrism noun
Etymology
Origin of Camorra
1860–65; < Italian < Spanish: dispute, quarrel (of uncertain origin)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because of her reported Camorra connections, all her assets were seized, but she later owned two classy fashion stores in Naples.
From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2022
While female leaders are rare in the Sicilian Mafia, women in the Camorra have played top roles.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2021
In spite of these denials, the spectre of the Camorra haunts the film, always present, dark and seductive.
From The New Yorker • Oct. 13, 2019
This theory got a boost when two Van Goghs turned up in a Camorra boss’s house in 2016.
From The Guardian • Dec. 16, 2018
Padre Camorra, who could not attend, watered at the eyes and mouth, but argued with Ben-Zayb, who defended them feebly, thinking of the free tickets they would send his newspaper.
From The Reign of Greed by Derbyshire, Charles E.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.