lèse-majesté Hear it!

lèse-majesté Definition

lèse-majesté (lez′ma′z̸hes tā′, -maj′is tē)

noun

  1. a crime against the sovereign; offense against a ruler's dignity as head of the state; treason
  2. any insolent or slighting behavior toward a person to whom deference is due

Etymology: Fr < L laesa majestas < laesa, fem. of laesus (see lesion) + majestas, majesty

lèse-majesté Synonyms

lèse-majesté

n.

mutiny, betrayal, revolt; see dishonesty, treason.