ignominious

WOTD – 15 May 2006

English

Etymology

From French or Old French ignominieux, from Latin ignominiosus (“disgraceful”), from ignominia (“loss of a good name, ignominy”), from in- (“not”) +‎ nomen (“name”).

Pronunciation

Adjective

ignominious (comparative more ignominious, superlative most ignominious)

Marked by shame or disgrace.
- 1945, George Orwell, Animal Farm, chapter 6
  In sheer malignity, thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion, this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year.