lèse-majesté

(lez′ma′z̸hes tā, -majis 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

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

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