flagitious

adjective

fla·​gi·​tious flə-ˈji-shəs How to pronounce flagitious (audio)
: marked by scandalous crime or vice : villainous
flagitiously adverb
flagitiousness noun

Did you know?

Flagitious derives from the Latin noun flagitium, meaning "shameful thing," and is akin to the Latin noun flagrum, meaning "whip." "Flagrum" is also the source of "flagellate" ("to whip" or "to scourge"), but despite the superficial resemblance it is not the source of flagrant, meaning "conspicuously bad." "Flagrant" and its cousins derive instead from Latin flagrare, meaning "to burn." "Flagitious" first appeared in the late 14th century, and it was originally applied to people who were horribly criminal or wicked. These days, it can also describe intangibles, such as actions ("flagitious promiscuity"), ideas ("a flagitious notion"), and principles ("flagitious motives").

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flagicious, from Latin flagitiosus, from flagitium shameful thing

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flagitious was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near flagitious

Cite this Entry

“Flagitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flagitious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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