infame

Infame is a term used in several Romance languages to describe someone or something that is infamous or notorious for negative reasons. In Italian, infame is an adjective meaning infamous; the related noun infamia denotes infamy or dishonorable reputation. In Spanish and Portuguese, infame likewise functions as an adjective; the corresponding nouns are infamia in Spanish and infâmia in Portuguese. The terms carry strong negative connotations and are used to condemn actions, individuals, or institutions.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin infamis, formed from in- “not” and famos “famous,” ultimately linked to fama “fame.” Through medieval and modern Romance languages, the form and spelling shifted, yielding today’s infame, infamia, infâmia and cognates.

Usage: Infame is used in literature, journalism, and everyday speech to label reputations or deeds as dishonorable. The English cognate infamy denotes notoriety for a particularly shameful act; a well-known example is Roosevelt’s phrase “a date which will live in infamy,” spoken about the attack on Pearl Harbor. In contemporary text, infame often signals moral condemnation rather than mere notoriety.

See also: Infamy; Notoriety; Fama; Shame.