mafia

noun MAH-fyah Rare

Origin: From Sicilian mafia, of uncertain origin, possibly from Arabic mahyas ('braggadocio') or a Sicilian dialect word.

Also means

criminal gang

Usage Note

Mafia refers both to the Sicilian-origin organised crime organisation and, by extension, to any corrupt network or clique: la mafia política ('the political mafia'). The plural mafias covers multiple groups. In informal speech it can describe any tight-knit group perceived as acting for its own benefit: la mafia de los funcionarios.

Examples

"La policía desarticuló una mafia dedicada al tráfico de drogas."

Natural Translation

The police dismantled a drug-trafficking mafia.

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