Lèse-Majesté

C2 16+

Pronunciation: /leɪz məˈʒɛsti/

Definitions of lèse-majesté

noun a crime of violating majesty or sovereignty

Example Sentences

A1 Lèse-majesté is a serious crime in some countries.

A2 The act of lèse-majesté can result in severe punishment.

B1 The government takes accusations of lèse-majesté very seriously.

B2 The journalist was arrested for committing lèse-majesté.

C1 The artist's controversial artwork was seen as an act of lèse-majesté.

C2 The novel was banned for its depiction of lèse-majesté against the royal family.

adjective related to a crime against majesty or sovereignty

Example Sentences

A1 The student's behavior towards the teacher was considered lèse-majesté.

A2 The tourist unknowingly committed lèse-majesté by disrespecting the local customs.

B1 The author's controversial book was accused of lèse-majesté against the ruling monarch.

B2 The politician was arrested for committing lèse-majesté by criticizing the royal family.

C1 The journalist was charged with lèse-majesté for publishing sensitive information about the royal household.

C2 The artist's provocative artwork was seen as an act of lèse-majesté by the conservative establishment.

Examples of lèse-majesté in a Sentence

formal The accused was charged with lèse-majesté for insulting the royal family.

informal I heard that spreading rumors about the king could be considered lèse-majesté.

slang Don't even think about committing lèse-majesté, it's a serious offense.

figurative In some cultures, criticizing the leader is seen as a form of lèse-majesté.

Grammatical Forms of lèse-majesté

past tense

committed lèse-majesté

plural

lèse-majestés

comparative

more lèse-majesté

superlative

most lèse-majesté

present tense

commits lèse-majesté

future tense

will commit lèse-majesté

perfect tense

has committed lèse-majesté

continuous tense

is committing lèse-majesté

singular

lèse-majesté

positive degree

lèse-majesté

infinitive

to commit lèse-majesté

gerund

committing lèse-majesté

participle

committed lèse-majesté

Origin and Evolution of lèse-majesté

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The term 'lèse-majesté' originated from Latin, specifically from the phrase 'crimen laesae maiestatis' meaning 'crime of injured majesty'. It was used in Roman law to refer to offenses against the dignity of the Roman state or emperor.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'lèse-majesté' came to be used in various European countries to refer to crimes against the reigning monarch or state. The concept evolved to encompass a broader range of offenses against the authority or dignity of a sovereign or government, beyond just physical harm or insults directly to the ruler.