o·mer·ta

(ō-mûr′tə, ō′mĕr-tä′)

A rule or code that prohibits speaking or divulging information about certain activities, especially the activities of a criminal organization.

[Italian omertà, probably from alteration (influenced by Sicilian omu, man) of Spanish hombredad, manliness, from Spanish hombre, man; see ombre.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

omertà

(omerˈta)

a conspiracy of silence

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

omerta

- The code of silence in the Mafia, from the Italian word for "humility."

See also related terms for silence.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

omerta - a code of silence practiced by the Mafia; a refusal to give evidence to the police about criminal activities

code, codification - a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)

Cosa Nostra, Maffia, Mafia - a crime syndicate in the United States; organized in families; believed to have important relations to the Sicilian Mafia

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

His testimony was the first major violation of omerta, the Mafia's code of silence, and the first concrete evidence that the Italian-American Mafia existed.

The soldier who broke the Mafia's code of silence

Previously, Hamilton was at the Omerta Group for over 15 years and most recently was a partner covering asset and alternative managers based in London.

Korn Ferry names Nina Hamilton as senior client partner

In contrast, from managing director Alex Hynes downwards, the Abellio message is omerta - absolute silence.

We need to sort out rail system; Letters to the editor Write to: Letters to the editor, The Press and Journal, 1 Marischal Square, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BL. email: pj.letters@ajl.co.uk All letters are subject to editing and must include your full address and daytime telephone number for verification. Thank you

It is, therefore, a gross miscarriage of justice when such cases are covered under the code of omerta.

Don't suffer in silence, get free legal redress

To point this out is to breach some kind of omerta, given the reception it gets.

Just like my jokes, the Brexit debacle is wearing thin; MY SHOUT SETTING THE WORLD TO RIGHTS, ONE DAY AT A TIME

The omerta was meant to last for the rest of the provincial championship but Ryan quickly rowed back on his decision.

KELLY SAYS LIAM WON'T DUCK OUT

His list -- in no specific order -- included Mulk, Badhaai Ho, Manto, Andhadhun, Tumbbad, Mard ko Dard Nahin Hota, Soni, Omerta and October.

Films that made Anurag Kashyap jealous

Earlier this year, Rao has appeared in films like Omerta, Fanney Khan, Stree and Love Sonia; among which Stree, a small budget film did a business of approximately Rs180 crore.

Content decides the budget of a film, says Rajkummar

The hilarious journey and several lessons help the 'Omerta' star to become a successful entrepreneur.

It's a schedule warp for Rajkummar's 'Made In China'

The Screening of 6 acclaimed Movies, named Newton, Kadwi Hawa, Soorma, Parmanu, Mukkabaaz and Omerta will be shown from 4th to 9th August respectively.

6th International Youth Film Festival To Be Held In Lucknow From 4th August

Rajkummar Rao took inspiration from SRK, Ranveer for Omerta Over time, Bollywood has seen new types of villains and the definition kept changing till date, where movies see very few characters as villains.

Not surprised! Rajkummar Rao took inspiration from SRK, Ranveer for Omerta