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-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] infa·mous·ly adv. infa·mous·ness n. |
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