lese-majesty

See also: lese majesty

English

Alternative forms

• lèse majesté, lese majesty, leze majesty

Etymology

From French lèse-majesté, from Latin laesa maiestas (“injury to majesty”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /liːz ˈmæd͡ʒɪsti/

Noun

lese-majesty (uncountable)

1. An offense against the sovereign power in a state; treason.
2. An act of disrespect towards authority.
   • 1943 July and August, “MAKING-DO”, in Railway Magazine, page iii, advertisement by London Transport:

     That is a phrase which was almost lese-majesty in LONDON TRANSPORT before the war, but to-day it is a different story. In fact we take pride in making-do, knowing what a contribution it is to the war effort.