disreputable

the word disreputable is a relatively modern english formation, built from familiar latin-derived morphemes. the core 'reput' stems from latin 'reputare', meaning "to count over, think about," which itself comes from 're-' (again) and 'putare' (to reckon, consider). the prefix 'dis-' negates or reverses the core meaning, creating the sense of "not being well thought of." the suffix '-able' gives it an adjectival quality, describing something or someone that is "capable of being held in low esteem." thus, the literal construction "capable of being not reckoned well" evolved into the modern abstract meaning describing a lack of respectability or a bad reputation.

Structure: dis (not) + reput (regard) + able (capable of) dis- (latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force"); reput- (latin origin, from 'reputare' meaning "to reckon, think over"); -able (latin origin, via old french, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to").