A member of a criminal gang or organized crime group who uses violence and illegal activities for money and power.
From 'mob' (a disorderly crowd) plus '-ster' (a person associated with something), coined in American English in the early 1900s.
The term 'mobster' became popular in American English during Prohibition (1920-1933) when gangsters like Al Capone controlled illegal alcohol sales and made millions—creating the organized crime structure we still talk about today.
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