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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").
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“Flagitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flagitious. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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