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ignominy

 - 2 dictionary results

ig⋅no⋅min⋅y

[ig-nuh-min-ee, ig-nom-uh-nee]
–noun, plural -min⋅ies for 2.
1. disgrace; dishonor; public contempt.
2. shameful or dishonorable quality or conduct or an instance of this.

Origin:
1530–40; < L ignōminia, equiv. to ig- (for in- in- 3 , appar. by assoc. with ignōbilis ignoble, ignōtus unknown, etc.; cf. cognomen ) + nōmin- (s. of nōmen) name + -ia -y 3


1. disrepute, discredit, shame, obloquy, opprobrium. See disgrace.


1. credit, honor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ignominy
ig·no·min·y   (ĭg'nə-mĭn'ē, -mə-nē)   
n.   pl. ig·no·min·ies
  1. Great personal dishonor or humiliation.

  2. Shameful or disgraceful action, conduct, or character.


[French ignominie, from Old French, from Latin ignōminia : i-, in-, not; see in-1 + nōmen, gnōmen, name (influenced by gnōscere, to know); see n-men- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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