mafiosi
Organized crime members
Mafiosi is the Italian plural of mafioso—members of the Mafia or similar organized crime groups.
The term applies to those involved in the hierarchical criminal organizations originating in Sicily and later established in America: The FBI surveilled known mafiosi in New York.
It sometimes extends figuratively to any tight-knit group operating by its own rules.
Male baptismal guardian
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- donPut on attire
- bossWorkplace superior
capo · enforcer · hitman · wiseguy · gangster · kingpin · associate · crew
Obtaining through threats
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
bootlegging · bookmaking · fencing · contraband · heist · murder-for-hire · bribery · corruption
Tacit agreement against disclosure
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- oathFormal binding promise
solidarity · complicity · discretion · non-cooperation · intimidation · betrayal · informant · rat
Power to affect others
- controlAuthority to direct
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
- respectRegard with honor
fear · coercion · dominance · tribute · patronage · muscle · strongarm · intimidation
From Italy's largest island
- Italian-AmericanEthnicity bridging two nations
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
- CalabrianFrom Italy's toe region
- old countryImmigrant's ancestral homeland
neighborhood · social club · sit-down · going to the mattresses · pinky ring · funeral · christening · wedding
godfather
Male baptismal guardian
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- donPut on attire
boss · capo · enforcer · hitman · wiseguy · gangster · kingpin · associate · crew · family
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
protection racket · bootlegging · bookmaking · fencing · contraband · heist · murder-for-hire · bribery · corruption · skimming
code of silence
Tacit agreement against disclosure
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
oath · solidarity · complicity · discretion · non-cooperation · intimidation · betrayal · informant · rat · snitch
influence
Power to affect others
respect · fear · coercion · dominance · tribute · patronage · muscle · strongarm · intimidation · clout
Sicilian
From Italy's largest island
- Italian-AmericanEthnicity bridging two nations
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
- CalabrianFrom Italy's toe region
old country · neighborhood · social club · sit-down · going to the mattresses · pinky ring · funeral · christening · wedding
mafiosipolice
Civil law enforcement
FBI agents · prosecutors · judges · district attorneys · detectives
mafiosisaints
Canonized religious figures
humanitarians · philanthropists · do-gooders · altruists · Good Samaritans
mafiosicivil servants
Government agency employees
public servants · straight arrows · corporate executives · government officials · military officers