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

“Flagitious” is neither, but is terminally obscure.

From New York Times

Sylvia had disliked Avery very much when she met him in London nearly two years ago; but the worst enemy, the most flagitious bore, is transformed when encountered alone in a distant country, and now Sylvia felt well disposed toward him and eager to share with any one who could appreciate her pleasure the marvel of being in Tetuan.

From Project Gutenberg

It falls to my lot, at this stage of my history, to be constrained to record an event the most astounding, the most awful, the most unexpected, the most treacherous, the most ungrateful, the most flagitious—yea, the most supereminently flagitious,—that the history of mankind affords.

From Project Gutenberg

The next evening the convention met, and a Secret Committee was raised with instructions to write a lettre de cachet to the President, explaining the flagitious conduct of Sergeant Trap, and demanding his immediate dismissal from the army.

From Project Gutenberg

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