Ma·fi·a 
(mäfē-ə)
(mäfē-ə)n.
1.
a. A secret criminal organization operating mainly in Sicily since the early 1800s and known for its intimidation of and retribution against law enforcement officials and witnesses.
b. A secret criminal organization operating mainly in the United States and Italy and engaged in illegal activities such as gambling, drug-dealing, protection, and prostitution.
2. Any of various similar criminal organizations, especially when dominated by members of the same nationality.
3. often mafia Informal A tightly knit group of trusted associates, as of a political leader: "[He] is one of the personal mafia that [the chancellor] brought with him to Bonn" (Christian Science Monitor).
[Italian, back-formation from mafiuso, mafioso, Mafioso; see MAFIOSO.]
- acclaimer
- acclamation
- acclamatory
- acclimate
- acclimation
- acclimatization
- acclimatize
- acclimatizer
- acclivitous
- acclivity
- accolade
- accommodate
- accommodating
- accommodatingly
- accommodation
- accommodationist
- accommodation ladder
- accommodative
- accommodator
- accompaniment
- accompanist
- accompany
- accomplice
- accomplish
- accomplishable