First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
sacrilege
noun sac·ri·lege \ˈsa-krə-lij\
: an act of treating a holy place or object in a way that does not show proper respect
Full Definition of SACRILEGE
1
2
: gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing
— sac·ri·le·gious \ˌsa-krə-ˈli-jəs also -ˈlē-\ adjective
— sac·ri·le·gious·ly adverb
— sac·ri·le·gious·ness noun
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Origin of SACRILEGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus one who robs sacred property, from sacr-, sacer + legere to gather, steal — more at legend
Related to SACRILEGE
- Synonyms
- defilement, desecration, impiety, irreverence, profanation, blasphemy
- Antonyms
- adoration, glorification, worship
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