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lèse-majesté

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noun lèse-ma·jes·té \ ˌlāz-ˈma-jə-stē , ˌlez- , ˌlēz- \
variants: or lese majesty

Definition of lèse-majesté

1 a :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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Origin and Etymology of lèse-majesté

Middle French lese majesté, from Latin laesa majestas, literally, injured majesty

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