infamy

plural infamies

1. countableuncountableThe state of being infamous.

   December 7, 1941; November 22, 1963; and September 11, 2001. The three dates which will live in infamy.

   2 more examples

   ... but the cars of chaste women have either coverings thrown over them, or white sheets hung over; for instance, on the cars of the female part of the family of the deceased Nawabs Khanduran and Muzaffar Khan, there used generally to be fastened thick dirty white cloths, and in like manner also on their palanquins—although one brother was the chief treasurer, and the other a commander of seven thousand men. And most assuredly this is a requirement of modesty; for one whose palanquin or cart is turned out with much splendour, verily the idea comes to the minds of the sight-seers and common people, that in it there must be some lovely one, bright as the morning, the envy of the fairies. Hence, for the cars or palanquins for women to ride in to be greatly embroidered is, in the opinion of certain men of standing, who are worthy to be trusted, of great infamy.

   1871, Sher Ali Afsos, translated by Henry Court, The Araish-i-Mahfil, or, The Ornament of the Assembly, page 31

   Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

   1941 December 8, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 0:00 from the start, in Day of Infamy Speech, Washington, D.C., page 1

   Synonyms: disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, notoriety, unfame, discredit, disesteem, disfavour

2. countableuncountableA reprehensible occurrence or situation.

   All for a pig of a man who should have gone to the chair. It is an infamy that he did not.

   1934, Agatha Christie, chapter 8, in Murder on the Orient Express, London: HarperCollins, published 2017, page 251

   Synonyms: outrage, wrong, atrocity, depravity, iniquity, outrage, turpitude, wickedness

3. countableuncountablelawA stigma attaching to a person's character that disqualifies them from being a witness.