notoriety

Definition

An infamous or notorious condition or reputation.

Etymology

Derived from Middle French notoriété, from Medieval Latin nōtōrietās, from nōtōrius, from nōtus (“known”), perfect passive participle of nōscō (“get to know”). By surface analysis, notorious + -ety.

Example Sentences

• "[H]e who portrays examples of disinterestedness and intrepidity, confers on virtue the notoriety and homage that are due to it, and rouses in the spectators, the spirit of salutary emulation."
• "I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me. I look upon notoriety with the same indifference as on the buttons on a man's shirt-front, or the crest on his note-paper."
• "This seems to me to be a reasonable request, and I will try to explain to you what it is that has given me this false notoriety; so please give me your attention."