lese majesty

lese majesty
/leez/
1. Law.
a. a crime, esp. high treason, committed against the sovereign power.
b. an offense that violates the dignity of a ruler.
2. an attack on any custom, institution, belief, etc., held sacred or revered by numbers of people: Her speech against Mother's Day was criticized as lese majesty.
Also, lèse majesty.
[1530-40; < F lèse-majesté, after L (crimen) laesae majestatis (the crime) of injured majesty]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lese-majesty — Lese maj es*ty ( m[a^]j [e^]s*t[y^]), n. See {Leze majesty}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lese-majesty — offense against sovereign authority, treason, 1530s (mid 15c. as an Anglo French word), from Fr. lèse majesté, from L. laesa majestos violated majesty, from laesus, pp. of laedere to hurt, injure, damage, offend, insult, of unknown origin …   Etymology dictionary

  • lese-majesty — meaning ‘treason’ or ‘an insult to a sovereign or ruler’, is pronounced leez maj is ti. The French form lèse majesté is also used in English, and its pronunciation is closer to the French. The term no longer has any legal force in English, having …   Modern English usage

  • lese majesty — index rebellion Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Lese-majesty — George III violated, 1798 Lese majesty /ˌl …   Wikipedia

  • lese majesty — noun a crime that undermines the offender s government • Syn: ↑treason, ↑high treason • Derivationally related forms: ↑treasonous (for: ↑treason), ↑treasonist (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • lese majesty — Leze majesty Leze maj es*ty (l[=e]z m[a^]j [e^]s*t[y^]) n. [F. lese majest[ e], fr. L. laesus, fem. laesa, injured (see {Lesion}) + majestas majesty; that is, crimen laesae majestatis.] [Written also {lese majesty}.] (Law) Any crime committed… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lese majesty — leze majesty, or lese majesty /liyz maejastiy/ An offense against sovereign power; treason; rebellion + lese majesty /liyz maejastiy/ The old English and Scotch translation of Isesa majestas, or high treason …   Black's law dictionary

  • lese majesty — leze majesty, or lese majesty /liyz maejastiy/ An offense against sovereign power; treason; rebellion + lese majesty /liyz maejastiy/ The old English and Scotch translation of Isesa majestas, or high treason …   Black's law dictionary

  • lese majesty — n. lese majesty against * * * lese majesty against …   Combinatory dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”