camoocht

[Also camouccio, used in the same sense, appar. repr. It. camoscio, a chamois, wild goat (see chamois ), perhaps affected in E. use by It. camuso, a person with a flat nose: see camo us.] A term of abuse equivalent to goat (see etymology). Whoever says you have a black eye, is a camooch . Middle ton , Blurt, Master-Constable, i. 2. Speak not; I will not hear thee: away, camouccio ! B. Jonson, Every Man out of his Humour, v. 3. Camorra (ka-mor'ä), n. [It.; cf. obs. It. "ca morra , an Irish rugge, also an upper ca ock," "camorro, a woman's frock" (Florio), now ca morro, an ugly person (applied to a woman).] A secret organization formed in the kingdom of Naples under the Bourbon government, first publicly known about 1820, partly political and partly of the nature of a standing standing vigilance committee, which exercised great power at times among the lower cla es, settling disputes and acting as referee, punishing punishing real or imaginary crimes, and exacting payment for all such services. It became guilty of many violent acts in the interest of private vengeance or avarice. Although for political reasons tolerated under Ferdinand II. (1830-59), it was attacked by the government of Francis II., in revenge for which it united with the opponents of the Bourbons and aided in the overthrow of that dynasty. present the organization is out of favor, and, though retaining a nominal existence, is of no importance as a body. Camorrism (ka-mor'izm), n. [ Camorra + -ism.] The system and mode of action of the At 779 Camorra; hence, organized mob-law; systematic rejection or abrogation of the regular forms of law.