WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
lese majesty  (lēz),USA pronunciation 
  1. Lawmaking
    • a crime, esp. high treason, committed against the sovereign power.
    • 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. 
  • French lèse-majesté, after Latin (crīmen) laesae mājestātis (the crime) of injured majesty
  • 1530–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
lese-majesty /ˈliːzˈmædʒɪstɪ/ n
  1. any of various offences committed against the sovereign power in a state; treason
  2. an attack on authority or position
Etymology: 16th Century: from French lèse majesté, from Latin laesa mājestās wounded majesty
'lese majesty' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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