World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesomertà
Pronunciation / Transliteration: o.merˈta
"L'omertà impedisce ai cittadini di denunciare i criminali."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A code of silence practiced among criminals, forbidding the betrayal of associates to authorities.
"The investigation stalled because every witness remained bound by strict omertà." - 2
An unwritten code of secrecy and non-interference in others' affairs.
"A political omertà protected the corrupt officials from public exposure for decades."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Southern Italian dialect word 'umirtà' (humility), eventually connected to Spanish 'hhomildad' and Latin 'humilitas'. Historically, it evolved in the context of the Mafia and Southern Italian culture to signify a code of silence and absolute non-cooperation with authorities.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Omertà"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Omertà" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
loi du silence
Transliteration: lwa dyu si.lɑ̃s
"La loi du silence régnait dans le quartier."
Schweigepflicht
Transliteration: ˈʃvaɪ.ɡəˌpflɪçt
"Die Zeugen hielten sich an das ungeschriebene Gesetz des Schweigens."
omertà
Transliteration: o.merˈta
"L'omertà impedisce ai cittadini di denunciare i criminali."
ley del silencio
Transliteration: lej del siˈlen.sjo
"La ley del silencio imperaba entre los sospechosos."
lei do silêncio
Transliteration: lej du siˈlẽ.sju
"A lei do silêncio dificultava o trabalho da polícia."
मौन का नियम
Transliteration: maun ka niyam
"अपराधियों के बीच मौन का नियम सख्ती से पालन किया जाता था।"
沉默法则
Transliteration: chénmò fǎzé
"黑帮成员之间严格遵守沉默法则。"
침묵의 규칙
Transliteration: chimmug-ui-gyuchik
"조직원들은 철저한 침묵의 규칙 아래 입을 다물었다."
沈黙の掟
Transliteration: chinmoku no okite
"組織の間では絶対的な沈黙の掟が存在していた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all Italian termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
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