lèse-majesté

noun

lèse-ma·jes·té | \ ˌlāz-ˈma-jə-stē

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, ˌlez-, ˌlēz-\

variants: or lese majesty

Definition of lèse-majesté

1a : a crime (such as treason) committed against a sovereign power

b : an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the representative of a sovereign power

2 : a detraction from or affront to dignity or importance

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