infamis

Infamis is a Latin term used as both an adjective and, occasionally, a substantive to denote dishonor or a lack of reputation. In classical and later Latin, infamis describes a person whose public standing is deemed unworthy, with infamia referring to the stigma or condition itself. The word derives from in- (not) combined with fama (fame, reputation).

In Roman law and social practice, infamia represented a legal and social status that could deprive a person of certain civil rights and privileges. Those considered infames were associated with disreputable professions or conduct and could face restrictions such as limitations on testifying, entering into certain marriages, or holding public office, depending on the period and jurisdiction. The concept functioned as a mechanism to regulate public morality and social hierarchy.

In Latin literature, infamis is used both descriptively and as a noun for a person bearing infamy—a dishonored individual. The notion carried into Late Antiquity and medieval canon law, where infamia and related terms appeared in legal and ecclesiastical contexts. Today, infamis is primarily of historical and philological interest, illustrating how reputation and social sanction operated in ancient and medieval societies.

Influence of the term extends into modern Romance languages, where descendants or cognates proliferate: French infâme, Italian infame, and Spanish infame or infame. In English, the related adjective infamous and the noun infamy derive from the same Latin root, reflecting the enduring connection between reputation, dishonor, and social standing.