lese majesty

American  

[lez, leez maj-uh-stee] / ˈlɛz, ˈliz ˈmædʒ ə sti /

Also lèse majesty,

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.

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lese-majesty British  

/ ˈliːzˈmædʒɪstɪ /

noun

1. any of various offences committed against the sovereign power in a state; treason

2. an attack on authority or position

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Etymology

Origin of lese majesty

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)

Example Sentences

It was further ordained under pain of lese majesty, that no true and faithful lieges taken by these men should be holden to enter to them, all bonds to the contrary notwithstanding.

From Project Gutenberg

"Here I was going to be shot at sunrise for this 'lese majesty' business, and now in only an hour I have a chance to make the capture of my young life!"

From Project Gutenberg

His father was what you call an agitator, and his father was in jail for lese majesty—what you call speaking the truth about the Emperor.

From Project Gutenberg