Part 205

In*fal"li*bil*ist (?), n. One who accepts or maintains the dogma of papal infallibility.

In*fal`li*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. infaillibilité.] The quality or state of being infallible, or exempt from error; inerrability.

Infallibility is the highest perfection of the knowing faculty.

Tillotson.

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.

In*fal"li*ble (?), a. [Pref. in- not + fallible: cf. F. infallible.]

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

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

To whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many infallible proofs.

Acts i. 3.

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

In*fal"li*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being infallible; infallibility. Bp. Hall.

In*fal"li*bly, adv. In an infallible manner; certainly; unfailingly; unerringly. Blair.

In*fame" (?), v. t. [L. infamare, fr. infamis infamous: cf. F. infamer, It. infamare. See Infamous.] To defame; to make infamous. [Obs.] Milton.

Livia is infamed for the poisoning of her husband.

Bacon.

In"fa*mize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infamized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Infamizing (?).] To make infamous; to defame. [R.] Coleridge.

In"fa*mous (?), a. [Pref. in- not + famous: cf. L. infamis. See Infamy.]

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.

False errant knight, infamous, and forsworn.

Spenser.

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

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

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.

Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds.

Milton.

The piny shade More infamous by cursed Lycaon made.

Dryden.