Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

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

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative spelling of omertà.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

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

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

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

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