How Do You Spell OMERTA?

Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊmətə] (IPA)

The spelling of "omerta" stems from Italian and has been adopted into American English. It is pronounced as /əʊˈmɛrtə/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "oh", and the second syllable sounds like "mare" with a T at the end. The emphasis is on the second syllable. This term refers to a code of silence among criminal organizations, where members are prohibited from divulging any information about their activities or fellow members. The spelling of "omerta" has remained consistent, with only minor variations.

OMERTA Meaning and Definition

1. Omertà is a noun that refers to a code of silence and strict adherence to secrecy and loyalty within the Mafia or criminal organizations. Derived from the Italian word omertà, meaning "manhood" or "virility," this concept embodies a strong sense of honor, respect, and loyalty among members, which leads to the suppression of any betrayal or cooperation with law enforcement authorities. This code dictates that members shall not betray their comrade's trust, provide information to law enforcement, or testify against one another in court.

   Omertà operates as an unwritten law that governs the behavior of individuals involved in organized crime, establishing a solidarity within the organization and protecting its members. It fosters an environment where trust is crucial, and breaking this code of silence is met with severe consequences. Those who violate omertà may face not only the wrath of their criminal associates but also the possibility of retribution against their loved ones.

   In a broader context, omertà can also refer to a general code of silence observed by individuals within a specific group or community, not necessarily associated with criminal activities. This concept demonstrates the belief in loyalty and discretion, often in opposition to cooperating with authorities or revealing sensitive information. Omertà can promote a culture of secrecy and maintain a united front, making it challenging for outsiders to penetrate or disrupt the group's operations.

Common Misspellings for OMERTA

• imerta
• kmerta
• lmerta
• pmerta
• 0merta
• 9merta
• onerta
• okerta
• ojerta
• omwrta
• omsrta
• omdrta
• omrrta
• om4rta
• om3rta
• omeeta
• omedta
• ometta
• ome5ta
• ome4ta
• Cmerra
• Osmenth
• Omtata

Etymology of OMERTA

The word "omertà" originates from Sicilian and Italian languages. It comes from the Sicilian word "humilitas", which means "humility" or "modesty" in Latin. Over time, this word evolved into "umirtà" or "umirtati" in Sicilian dialect, which referred to a code of silence and secrecy. The term was then borrowed into Italian as "omertà", which retained the same meaning. It is primarily associated with the criminal underworld and Mafia culture, illustrating a strict code of honor that forbids cooperation with authorities or betraying secrets within the organization.

Plural form of OMERTA is OMERTAS