lese-majesty
/liːzˈmadʒɪsti
/noun [mass noun]
1The insulting of a monarch or other ruler; treason: the Shah would whip him for his lese-majesty...
- The junta used lese-majesty as an excuse to stage the military coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra's government.
- Others were charged with offences including lese-majesty or destruction of property.
- Counter-charges of lese-majesty were filed against Prime Minister Thaksin.
1.1Presumptuous or disrespectful behaviour: he responded to the lese-majesty of the young man with an arctic stare
Origin
Late Middle English: from French lèse-majesté, from Latin laesa majestas 'injured sovereignty'.