| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024Ma•fi•a /ˈmɑfiə, ˈmæfiə/USA pronunciation n. - World History[countable* usually: the + ~] a secret criminal organization originating in Sicily.
- World History any powerful, secret group:[mafia* countable]the union mafia.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024Ma•fi•a (mä′fē ə, maf′ē ə),USA pronunciation n. - World Historya hierarchically structured secret organization allegedly engaged in smuggling, racketeering, trafficking in narcotics, and other criminal activities in the U.S., Italy, and elsewhere.
- World History(in Sicily)
- (l.c.) a popular spirit of hostility to legal restraint and to the law, often manifesting itself in criminal acts.
- a 19th-century secret society, similar to the Camorra in Naples, that acted in this spirit.
- World History(often l.c.) any small powerful or influential group in an organization or field;
clique.
Also, Maf′fi•a. - Sicilian: origin, originally, elegance, bravura, courage; of obscure origin, originally; the word's history prior to the 19th century is unknown, though many fictitious ideas have circulated regarding its age, source, etc., due to the organization's modern notoriety
- Italian
- 1870–75
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: Mafia, Maffia /ˈmæfɪə/ n - the Mafia ⇒ an international secret organization founded in Sicily, probably in opposition to tyranny. It developed into a criminal organization and in the late 19th century was carried to the US by Italian immigrants
- any group considered to resemble the Mafia
Etymology: 19th Century: from Sicilian dialect of Italian, literally hostility to the law, boldness, perhaps from Arabic mahyah bragging |