flagitious

[ fluh-jish-uhs ]

adjective

1. shamefully wicked, as persons, actions, or times.
2. heinous or flagrant, as a crime; infamous.

flagitious

/ fləˈdʒɪʃəs /

adjective

1. atrociously wicked; vicious; outrageous

Derived Forms

• flaˈgitiously, adverb
• flaˈgitiousness, noun

Other Words From

• fla·gitious·ly adverb
• fla·gitious·ness noun
• nonfla·gitious adjective
• nonfla·gitious·ly adverb
• nonfla·gitious·ness noun
• unfla·gitious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagitious¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flagicious, from Latin flāgitiōsus, equivalent to flāgiti(um) “shame, scandal” + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagitious¹

C14: from Latin flāgitiōsus infamous, from flāgitium a shameful act; related to Latin flagrum whip

Example Sentences

Indignation is a generous outburst of ~ in view of things which are indigna, or unworthy to be done, involving what is mean, cruel, flagitious, etc., in character or conduct.

From Project Gutenberg

The people who profess belief in this are shocked at the outrage offered to our humanity by the Development Theory, while they themselves commit this outrage more flagitious.

From Project Gutenberg

The saints of Christianity were either the most useless or most flagitious of men.

From Project Gutenberg

That this family, with their illustrious father, should have escaped altogether, is an instance of good fortune as remarkable as the attempt was flagitious.

From Project Gutenberg

Verily the dead flesh rots flagitiously, when the mortal body is subservient to overflowing lust, as the prophet said by one, "The beasts rotted in their dung."

From Project Gutenberg