Diabolik

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. The name of a masked criminal mastermind and master thief who is the title character of a long-running Italian comic book series
2. A fictional masked burglar and jewel thief, the central figure of a popular Italian comic that began in the 1960s
3. The title character of an Italian crime comic: a black-clad, masked thief known for elaborate heists and clever disguises

Etymology: "Diabolik" is the name of the masked master thief in an Italian crime comic created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani. The name comes from the Italian adjective "diabolico," meaning "diabolical," which passed into Italian from Late Latin "diabolicus" and Greek "diabolikos," "devilish." That Greek adjective derives from "diabolos," "slanderer" or "accuser," a noun built on "diaballein," "to throw across" or "to slander." The spelling with a "k" in place of the Italian "c" gives the name a sharper, more menacing look on the comic's covers, which suits a villain who is also the story's hero.