# infamous

Pronunciation: say "IN-fuh-muhs" /ˈɪnfəməs/

## Adjective

1. Widely known for bad or evil deeds; having a thoroughly bad reputation.
   - Simple: Well known by many people for being bad or evil.
   - _The dictator remains infamous for the brutal way he silenced critics._
   - _That stretch of highway is infamous among drivers for its deadly accidents._
2. Causing infamy; bringing disgrace and public shame upon those responsible.
   - Simple: Bringing great shame and making someone look very bad.
   - _The general's infamous betrayal cost thousands of soldiers their lives._
   - _History records the massacre as one of the most infamous deeds of the war._
3. Stripped by court sentence of certain civil rights, such as holding public office, voting, serving on a jury, or testifying in court. *(UK)*
   - Simple: Having lost certain legal rights because a court ordered it as a punishment.
   - _Once convicted of perjury, he was rendered infamous and barred from giving testimony._
   - _An infamous person could neither vote nor stand for public office._

## Adjective

4. Of a crime or offense, serious enough to be punishable by death or imprisonment. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Of a crime, serious enough to be punished by prison or death.
   - _Treason was long regarded as an infamous crime, punishable by death._
   - _The old statute listed several infamous offenses that carried lengthy prison terms._

## Origin

From Middle English enfamouse (also in-fames, infamous), from Medieval Latin īnfāmōsus, from Latin īnfāmis; by surface analysis it breaks down into in- plus famous. It displaced the native Old English word unhlīsful.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/infamous (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).