EGRE'GIOUS, a. [L. egregius, supposed to be from e or ex grege, from or out of or beyond the herd, select, choice.]
1. Eminent; remarkable; extraordinary; distinguished; as egregious exploits; an egregious prince. but in this sense it is seldom applied to persons.
2. In a bad sense, great; extraordinary; remarkable; enormous; as an egregious mistake; egregious contempt. In this sense it is often applied to persons; as an egregious rascal; an egregious murderer.
