inf

n. One who accepts or maintains the dogma of papal infallibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. infaillibilité. ] The quality or state of being infallible, or exempt from error; inerrability. [ 1913 Webster ]

Infallibility is the highest perfection of the knowing faculty. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Papal infallibility (R. C. Ch.), the dogma that the pope can not, when acting in his official character of supreme pontiff, err in defining a doctrine of Christian faith or rule of morals, to be held by the church. This was decreed by the Ecumenical Council at the Vatican, July 18, 1870. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + fallible: cf. F. infallible. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not fallible; not capable of erring; entirely exempt from liability to mistake; unerring; inerrable. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not liable to fail, deceive, or disappoint; indubitable; sure; certain; as, infallible evidence; infallible success; an infallible remedy. [ 1913 Webster ]

To whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many infallible proofs. Acts i. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) Incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals. See Papal infallibility, under Infallibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being infallible; infallibility. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an infallible manner; certainly; unfailingly; unerringly. Blair. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. infamare, fr. infamis infamous: cf. F. infamer, It. infamare. See Infamous. ] To defame; to make infamous. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Livia is infamed for the poisoning of her husband. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Infamized p. pr. & vb. n. Infamizing ] To make infamous; to defame. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + famous: cf. L. infamis. See Infamy. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Of very bad report; having a reputation of the worst kind; held in abhorrence; guilty of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile; detestable; as, an infamous traitor; an infamous perjurer. [ 1913 Webster ]

False errant knight, infamous, and forsworn. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime; as, at common law, an infamous person can not be a witness. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Having a bad name as being the place where an odious crime was committed, or as being associated with something detestable; hence, unlucky; perilous; dangerous. “Infamous woods.” P. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The piny shade
More infamous by cursed Lycaon made. Dryden.

Syn. -- Detestable; odious; scandalous; disgraceful; base; vile; shameful; ignominious. [ 1913 Webster ]