lese majesty

[ leez-maj-uh-stee, lez ]

/ ˈliz ˈmædʒ ə sti, ˈlɛz /

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See synonyms for lese majesty on Thesaurus.com

noun

Law.

a crime, especially high treason, committed against the sovereign power.
an offense that violates the dignity of a ruler.

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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Also lèse maj·es·ty, lèse maj·es·té

[lez-mah-juh-stey; lez-maj-uh-stee, leez-maj-uh-stee]. /ˈlɛz ˈmɑ dʒəˈsteɪ; ˈlɛz ˈmædʒ ə sti, ˈliz ˈmædʒ ə sti/.

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)

Words nearby lese majesty

Lesbos, Les Cayes, lesche, Leschetizky, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, lese majesty, Lesghian, Les Gueux, Les Halles, lesion, Leslie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lese majesty in a sentence

Three-dimensional shots attempt to capture the majesty of his triumphs from the artistic world to the scientific.
Doctor Who: It’s Time For a Black, Asian, or Woman Doctor|Nico Hines|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her Majesty is firmly of the view that this is a matter for the people of Scotland.
Queen Tells Scots To 'Think Very Carefully' About Independence Vote|Tom Sykes|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is there that you get the fullest sense of majesty and tragedy of this city transformed.
The Resilient City: New York After 9/11|John Avlon|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To them, Her Imperial Majesty and Queen Empress was behaving in a manner unbecoming.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A glittering spectacle of British pomp and majesty it may be, but the clothes are rather tight, and the room is somewhat airless.
Thump! Audible Crash As Queen's Page Boy Collapses At Opening of Parliament|Tom Sykes|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Majesty on high has a colony and a people on earth, which otherwise is under the supremacy of the Evil One.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to have executed immediately what is most expedient for the royal service in this matter.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
If not, I shall do so as soon as possible, as befits the importance of what is contained in them, and the service of your Majesty.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
There it appears that your Majesty has ordered in this matter that consultation be held thereon.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Two appointments from your Majesty came last year to this metropolitan church of Manila.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for lese majesty

lese-majesty

/ (ˈliːzˈmædʒɪstɪ) /

noun

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

an attack on authority or position

Word Origin for lese-majesty

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

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