ignominy

Definitions

in- (not, here assimilated to ig-) + nomin (name) = 'no name / loss of one's good name.' The Latin ignominia literally meant the destruction of a person's reputation. To suffer ignominy is to have your name dragged through the mud — public disgrace.

Why It Means This

The image is stark: strip away someone's name and you strip away their honor. In Roman culture your nomen was your standing, so 'no name' (in- + nōmen) became the word for disgrace. It's the dark twin of renown ('a name repeated everywhere').

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He suffered the ignominy of being fired in front of his colleagues.

• 2.

  The team endured the ignominy of relegation.