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Wiktionary

infamous

English

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Etymology

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From Middle English enfamouse, in-fames, infamous, from Medieval Latin īnfāmōsus, from Latin īnfāmis; by surface analysis, in- +‎ famous. Displaced native Old English unhlīsful.

Pronunciation

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  • enPR: ĭnʹfə-məs, IPA(key): /ˈɪnfəməs/, /ˈɪmfəməs/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

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infamous (comparative more infamous, superlative most infamous)

  1. Having a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious; unpleasant or evil; widely known, especially for something scornful.
    He was an infamous traitor.
    She is infamous for perjury.
    • 1995, Leonard Nimoy, I Am Spock‎[1], New York: Hyperion, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 188:
      Soon we arrived at the Beijing Hotel—within shouting distance of the now infamous Tienanmen Square.
    • 2014, “Little Green Men”: A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013–2014‎[2], Fort Bragg, North Carolina: The United States Army Special Operations Command, page 43:
      These infamous little green men appeared during the decisive seizures or buildings and facilities, only to disappear when associated militias and local troops arrived to consolidate the gains. In this way they provided a measure of deniability—however superficial or implausible—for Moscow.40
    • 2021 October 20, Paul Stephen, “Leisure and pleasure on the Far North Line”, in RAIL, number 942, page 48:
      Despite the line proving to be a useful strategic route for men and supplies to the British naval fleets stationed at Scapa Flow in both world wars, the Duke's legacy looked to have passed into history when it was listed for closure in the infamous Beeching report.
  2. Causing infamy; disgraceful.
    This infamous deed tarnishes all involved.
  3. (UK, historical, of a person) Subject to a judicial punishment depriving (the person) of certain rights (e.g. the rights to hold public office, exercise the franchise, receive a public pension, serve on a jury, or give testimony in a court of law).
  4. (archaic, of a crime) Punishable by death or imprisonment.
    • 1791 December 15, James Madison et al, Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution:
      No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger […]

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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