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Webster 1913 Edition


Infamous

In′fa-mous

,
Adj.
[Pref.
in-
not +
famous
: cf. L.
infamis
. See
Infamy
.]
1.
Of very bad report; having a reputation of the worst kind; held in abhorrence; guilty of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile; detestable;
as, an
infamous
traitor; an
infamous
perjurer.
False errant knight,
infamous
, and forsworn.
Spenser.
2.
Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last degree;
as, an
infamous
act;
infamous
vices;
infamous
corruption.
Macaulay.
3.
(Law)
Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime;
as, at common law, an
infamous
person can not be a witness
.
4.
Having a bad name as being the place where an odious crime was committed, or as being associated with something detestable; hence, unlucky; perilous; dangerous.
Infamous woods.”
P. Fletcher.
Infamous
hills, and sandy perilous wilds.
Milton.
Syn. – Detestable; odious; scandalous; disgraceful; base; vile; shameful; ignominious.

Webster 1828 Edition


Infamous

IN'FAMOUS

,
Adj.
[L. infamis; infamo, to defame; in and fama, fame.]
1.
Of ill report, emphatically; having a reputation of the worst kind; publicly branded with odium for vice of guilt; base; scandalous; notoriously vile; used of persons; as an infamous liar; an infamous rake or gambler.
2.
Odious; detestable; held in abhorrence; that renders a person infamous rake or gambler.
3.
Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime. An infamous person cannot be a witness.

Definition 2024


infamous

infamous

English

Adjective

infamous (comparative more infamous, superlative most infamous)

  1. having a bad reputation, disreputable; of bad report; notoriously vile; detestable; widely known, especially for something bad
    He was an infamous traitor.
    He was an infamous perjurer.
  2. causing infamy; disgraceful
    This infamous deed tarnishes all involved.
  3. (archaic) in England / Great Britain, a judicial punishment which deprived the infamous person of certain rights; this included a prohibition against holding public office, exercising the franchise, receiving a public pension, serving on a jury, or giving testimony in a court of law.

Derived terms

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