online medical dictionary | definition of infamous

1. Of very bad report; having a reputation of the worst kind; held in abhorrence; guilty of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile; detestable; as, an infamous traitor; an infamous perjurer. "False errant knight, infamous, and forsworn." (Spenser)

2. Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption.

3. Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime; as, at common law, an infamous person can not be a witness.

4. Having a bad name as being the place where an odious crime was committed, or as being associated with something detestable; hence, unlucky; perilous; dangerous. "Infamous woods." "Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds." (Milton) "The piny shade More infamous by cursed Lycaon made." (Dryden)

Synonyms: Detestable, odious, scandalous, disgraceful, base, vile, shameful, ignominious.

Origin: Pref. In- not + famous: cf. L. Infamis. See Infamy.

(01 Mar 1998)