Extremely wicked, shameful, or criminal; heinous and deeply immoral.
From Latin flagitiosus (shameful, base), derived from flagitium (shame, crime, vice). The word entered English in the 16th century to describe serious moral depravity and criminal behavior.
Medieval and Renaissance writers used 'flagitious' for the absolutely worst villains—not just bad people, but those guilty of shocking crimes and moral crimes that brought shame to everyone, even their families!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.