cosa nostra

Co·sa Nos·tra

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [koh-zuh nohs-truh]
- /ˈkoʊ zə ˈnoʊs trə/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [koh-zuh nohs-truh]
- /ˈkoʊ zə ˈnoʊs trə/

Definitions of cosa nostra words

noun cosa nostra the branch of the Mafia that operates in the US 3
noun cosa nostra Mafia, esp. the Mafia in the U.S. 3
noun cosa nostra any exclusive, dominating organization or group 3
noun cosa nostra a secret association engaged in organized crime in the U.S., modeled after and affiliated with the Mafia. 1

See all 4 definitions of cosa nostra

Information block about the term

Origin of cosa nostra

First appearance:

before 1960

One of the 3% newest English words

1960-65; < Italian: literally, our affair

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cosa nostra

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Cosa nostra

cosa nostra popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 36% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 61% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

cosa nostra usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cosa nostra

noun cosa nostra

mafia — a hierarchically structured secret organization allegedly engaged in smuggling, racketeering, trafficking in narcotics, and other criminal activities in the U.S., Italy, and elsewhere.
syndicate — a group of individuals or organizations combined or making a joint effort to undertake some specific duty or carry out specific transactions or negotiations: The local furniture store is individually owned, but is part of a buying syndicate.
mob — Digital Technology. (in a video game) a hostile nonplayer character that the player may target and fight.
underworld — the criminal element of human society.
black hand — a group of Sicilian blackmailers and terrorists formed in the 1870s and operating in the US in the early 20th century

All 7 Synonyms of cosa nostra