yakuza definition - Dictionaries

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yakuza [ yə kzə ] (plural yakuza)

noun

Definition:

1. Japanese crime syndicate: a Japanese criminal organization involved in illegal activities such as drug-dealing, extortion, and prostitution

2. yakuza member: a member of the yakuza

[Mid-20th century. < Japanese, 'gambler' < ya 'eight' + ku 'nine' + -za 'three', the worst hand in a card game]

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