Infamy
/ˈɪn.fə.mi/noun
Widespread bad reputation or public disgrace.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *infamia*, a legal and social stain in Roman culture that could strip a person of credibility, status, and public honor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“to set, establish, put”
Latin
Latin
fama
“report, rumor, renown, what is spoken about”
Latin
Latin
infamia
“bad reputation, disgrace, loss of public esteem”
Old French
Old French
infamie
“disgrace, dishonor, evil reputation”
Middle English
English
infamie
“evil report, public disgrace”
Modern English
English
infamy
“widespread bad reputation or public disgrace”