Mafia

Pronunciation: /ˈmɑfiə/

Definitions of Mafia

noun a secret criminal organization operating mainly in Italy and the United States and engaging in illegal activities such as gambling, drug-trafficking, and murder

Example Sentences

A1 The Mafia is a criminal organization.

A2 The Mafia boss ordered a hit on his rival.

B1 The Mafia has been involved in various illegal activities for decades.

B2 The Mafia operates in a hierarchical structure with different ranks.

C1 The Mafia's influence extends to politics and business in some regions.

C2 The Mafia's power and control over certain territories is well-known.

Examples of Mafia in a Sentence

formal The Mafia is known for its organized crime activities and influence in certain regions.

informal I heard that the Mafia is involved in a lot of illegal activities.

slang Watch out for the Mafia, they don't mess around.

figurative The Mafia of corruption has infiltrated every level of government.

Grammatical Forms of Mafia

• past tense: Mafia
• plural: Mafias
• comparative: more Mafia
• superlative: most Mafia
• present tense: Mafia
• future tense: will Mafia
• perfect tense: have Mafia
• continuous tense: is Mafiaing
• singular: Mafia
• positive degree: Mafia
• infinitive: to Mafia
• gerund: Mafiaing
• participle: Mafiaed

Origin and Evolution of Mafia

First Known Use: 1862 year

Language of Origin: Italian

Story behind the word: The word 'Mafia' originated in Sicily, Italy, and is believed to have stemmed from the Arabic word 'mahyas' which means 'aggressive boasting'. It was used to refer to a secret criminal organization in Sicily.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'Mafia' has come to be associated with organized crime syndicates, particularly those originating in Italy. It has also been used more broadly to refer to any organized group involved in illegal activities.