1 lèse-majesté | Definition of lèse-majesté
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

lèse-majesté

noun
lèse-ma·​jes·​té | \ ˌlāz-ˈma-jə-stē How to pronounce lèse-majesté (audio) , ˌlez-, ˌlēz-\
variants: or lese majesty

Definition of lèse-majesté

1a : a crime (such as treason) committed against a sovereign power
b : an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power
2 : a detraction from or affront to dignity or importance

First Known Use of lèse-majesté

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for lèse-majesté

Middle French lese majesté, from Latin laesa majestas, literally, injured majesty

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!