What is "omerta"

1909, from dialectal form of Italian umilta "humility," in reference to the code of submission of individuals to the group interest, from Latin humilitas (see humility).

n. A code of silence amongst members of a criminal organization (especially the Mafia) that forbids divulging insider secrets to law enforcement.

n. (alternative spelling of omertà English)

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

Omertà is a code of honor that places importance on silence, non-cooperation with authorities, and non-interference in the illegal actions of others. It originated and remains common in Southern Italy, where banditry and the Mafia-type criminal organizations (like the Camorra, Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta and Sacra Corona Unita) are strong. It is also deeply rooted in rural Crete ( Greece), and Corsica.

It also exists, to a lesser extent, in certain Italian-American neighborhoods where the Italian-American Mafia has influence—and Italian ethnic enclaves in countries such as Germany, Canada, and Australia, where Italian organized crime exists. Retaliation against informers is common in criminal circles, where informers are known as "rats" or "snitches".

Omerta were an indie rock band from Manchester, England.

The band consisted of:

• Aaron Starkie - lead vocals
• Nick Moylan - guitar, backing vocals
• James Ryan - bass guitar
• Neil Turvin - drums/ percussion.

Omerta combined synths, strings, bleeps and beeps, cutting guitar, and a solid rhythm section to create music that engaged both melodically and lyrically delivered by a heart-rending vocal. Their sound drew comparisons with Radiohead, Interpol, and The Killers.

Omertà is a novel by Mario Puzo, published posthumously in 2000. It was first published by Ballantine Books. Omertà follows the story of Don Aprile's adopted "nephew" Astorre Viola. This is the final book in Puzo's mafia trilogy. The first two were The Godfather and The Sicilian.

Omertà is a code of behaviour usually associated with Italian Mafias.

Omerta may also refer to:

• Omertà (album), a 2012 album by Adrenaline Mob
• "Omertà", a song by Lamb of God from Ashes of the Wake
• Omerta (band), an English indie rock band
• Omertà (comics) or Paulie Provenzano, a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe
• "Omertà" (Millennium), an episode of Millennium
• Omertà (novel), a 2000 novel by Mario Puzo
• Omerta (TV series), a 1996 Quebec television series
• Omerta (video game), a browser-based text MMORPG
• Omerta – City of Gangsters, a management simulation and a turn-based tactical combat video game with a cover system and stealth action

Omerta is a browser-based text MMORPG that launched in 2003. In this game the player is a gangster in the 1930s. Omerta players rank up by stealing cars, committing crimes, breaking people out of prison and dealing alcohol and narcotics.

Omertà or Omertà, The Code of Silence is a Quebec television series of 11 forty-five-minute episodes, created by Luc Dionne and aired from January to April 1996 on Radio-Canada. In France, the series aired on France 3 in 1998.

A second season, titled Omertà II – The Code of Silence, had 14 forty-five minute episodes and was broadcast between September and December 1997 on Radio-Canada.

A third season, titled Omerta, The Last Men of Honor, had 13 episodes and was broadcast from January to April 1999, on Radio-Canada.

Omertá (Italian pronunciation: [ɔmɛrˈta]) is the debut full-length album by American heavy metal band Adrenaline Mob. The album was released on March 13, 2012 in North America by Elm City Music, and on March 19 in Europe through Century Media Records. Omertá was produced by Adrenaline Mob and mixed by Jay Ruston.