Middle English Dictionary Entry
infāmī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | infāmī(e n. |
| Etymology | L infāmia |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Disgrace, dishonor; (b) discredit; (c) calumny, slander; rumor; (d) loss of privileges and rights; (e) shameful behavior, vileness of conduct.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.313 : Hit was..a thynge of grete infamy [Trev.: a greet diffamacioun] to haue werede moo rynges then oon amonge olde men.
b
- (1473) RParl.6.69b : Now there remayneth no colour or matere of argument to the hurt or infamye of the same right and title.
- c1475-a1600(a1473) Fortescue Declaration (Clermont)533 : Yor olde argumentes and wrytynges mowe els turne..to his harme, or to the infamie of the title be which he reigneth upon us.
c
- (1450) RParl.5.176a : That he myght be atte his declaration of the grete infamie and defamation that is seid uppon hym by many of the people of this lande, that he shuld be other then a true man to the Kyng and to his Reame.
- (1450) RParl.5.176b : There was an hevy rumour and noyse of sclaundre and Infamie uppon hym.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)89.42 (v.2:p.108) : The childe excusid the pope and seid that he was nat his fadir, wherthurgh anoon the infamye cessid.
d
- c1450 *Assem.Bk.1 Gild St.Geo.Norwich (Nrw-CMus) : That then he forth with be discharged of the seid Gylde and..he be discharget of his libertees and fraunches of the seid Cite..as a man shamed and repreved and renne in the peyne of infamie.
e
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)91/23 : He toke vpon hym Goddis marke .., diffowled with the spottis of murdre and trechery: this wise was Mahomet wourshipped and .. thei did honour and lawde to the maister of dishoneste and to the contrevers [read: contrever] of all infamye.