[It. camorra, ‘Irish rugge or mantle, a Mariners frocke’ (Florio).]
1. A kind of smock-frock or blouse.
1869. W. Gilbert, Lucrezia Borgia, I. 211. She was dressed … in a camora of gold shot brocade.
2. A secret society of lawless malcontents in Naples and Neapolitan cities. Sometimes transf.
1865. Sat. Rev., 21 Jan., 87/1. The Camorra is a system of organized extortion, which has survived the Bourbon rule … its name is conjectured to be that of a species of short coat worn by members of the society.
1880. Fortn. Rev., Feb., 174. The profits which … this official camorra divide between them are enormous.
Hence Camorrism, the principles or practice of this society; lawlessness, anarchy. Camorrist, a member of a camorra.
1863. Sat. Rev., 7 Nov., 625/2. The notes … treat … of the Neapolitan Camorrists.
1883. Chamb. Jrnl., 78. The Camorrist remains the personification of power and heroism to the Neapolitan.
