lèse–majesté

noun lèse–ma·jes·té \ˌlāz-ˈma-jə-stē, ˌlez-, ˌlēz-\

Definition of LÈSE-MAJESTÉ

a : a crime (as treason) committed against a sovereign power

b : an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power

: a detraction from or affront to dignity or importance

lèse–ma·jes·té or lese maj·es·ty \ˌlāz-ˈma-jə-stē, ˌlez-, ˌlēz-\

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

First Known Use: 1536

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