in·fa·mous
(ĭn′fə-məs)adj.1. Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious: an infamous outlaw.
2. Causing or deserving severe public condemnation; heinous: "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury" (US Constitution, Amendment 5).
3. Law Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries a severe punishment. No longer in technical use.
[Middle English
infamis, from Latin
īnfāmis :
in-,
not; see
in-1 +
fāma,
renown, fame; see
bhā- in
Indo-European roots.]
in′fa·mous·ly adv.
in′fa·mous·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
infamousness
nounUnfavorable, usually unsavory renown:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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