Cosa Nostra
Italian crime family
Cosa Nostra is the Sicilian Mafia, or more broadly, Italian-American organized crime syndicates descended from it.
The Italian phrase means "our thing" or "this thing of ours"—a name members use among themselves.
The FBI's investigation into Cosa Nostra lasted decades.
The term emphasizes the secretive, insular nature of the organization.
Male baptismal guardian
- bossWorkplace superior
- donPut on attire
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
capo · soldier · associate · made man · mafioso · mobster · wiseguy · enforcer
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
- crime familyCriminal organization by kinship
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- Five FamiliesMajor mob organizations
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
outfit · cartel · underworld · network · enterprise · conspiracy
Tacit agreement against disclosure
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- oathFormal binding promise
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
blood ritual · secrecy · allegiance · betrayal · informant · rat · snitch · turncoat
Mediterranean's biggest island
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- protectionGuarding against harm
- loan sharkingIllegal lending at excessive interest
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
smuggling · gambling · bootlegging · kickbacks · skimming · bid rigging · hijacking · fencing
Power to affect others
- controlAuthority to direct
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
corruption · bribery · intimidation · coercion · enforcement · fear · respect · tribute
godfather
Male baptismal guardian
consigliere · capo · soldier · associate · made man · mafioso · mobster · wiseguy · enforcer · hitman
mob
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
- crime familyCriminal organization by kinship
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- Five FamiliesMajor mob organizations
racket · outfit · cartel · underworld · network · enterprise · conspiracy
code of silence
Tacit agreement against disclosure
initiation · blood ritual · secrecy · allegiance · betrayal · informant · rat · snitch · turncoat · witness protection
Sicily
Mediterranean's biggest island
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- protectionGuarding against harm
- loan sharkingIllegal lending at excessive interest
money laundering · smuggling · gambling · bootlegging · kickbacks · skimming · bid rigging · hijacking · fencing · narcotics
influence
Power to affect others
dominance · corruption · bribery · intimidation · coercion · enforcement · fear · respect · tribute · patronage
- Sicilian MafiaCorleone
- Mafiamafia, Sicilian Mafia, Five Families, Colombo, Gambino
- Crime SyndicatesFive Families, Sicilian Mafia, Medellin Cartel, Irish Mob, Murder Inc
- organized crimemafia, mob, the mob, crime syndicates, syndicates
- secret networkssecret societies, cabals, cells, hidden networks, criminal networks
- ItalyRome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples
Cosa Nostralaw enforcement
Upholding legal codes
rule of law · justice system · civil authority · democratic institutions · Department of Justice
Cosa Nostracharity organization
Group providing aid freely
nonprofit organization · humanitarian organization · Doctors Without Borders · civic association · service club