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View synonyms for

lese majesty

[ leez maj-uh-stee, lez ]

noun

  1. Law.
    1. a crime, especially high treason, committed against the sovereign power.
    2. an offense that violates the dignity of a ruler.
  2. an attack on any custom, institution, belief, etc., held sacred or revered by numbers of people:

    Her speech against Mother's Day was criticized as lese majesty.

lese-majesty

/ ˈːˈæɪɪ /

noun

  1. any of various offences committed against the sovereign power in a state; treason
  2. an attack on authority or position
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of lese majesty1

First recorded in 1450–1500 in spelling lese mageste; current spelling dates from 1785–80; partial translation of Anglo-French, Middle French lese majesté, leze magesté, from Latin (crīmen) laesae mājestātis “(the crime) of injured majesty” (originally against the Roman people, later against the emperor)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of lese majesty1

C16: from French lèse majesté, from Latin laesa mājestās wounded majesty

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