notorious: Meaning, Definition, Usage

adjective satellite known widely and usually unfavorably;
ill-famed; infamous.
- a notorious gangster
- the tenderloin district was notorious for vice
- the infamous Benedict Arnold

L. notorius pointing out, making known, fr. noscere, notum, to known: cf. F. notoire. See Know.

Generally known and talked of by the public; universally believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an unfavorable sense; as, a notorious thief; a notorious crime or vice.
Your goodness, Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious. Shak.
Syn. -- Distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; celebrated; noted; famous; renowned. infamous is an extreme sense -- No*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- No*to"ri*ous*ness, n.