lese-majesty

 
Pronunciation: /liːzˈmadʒɪsti/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the insulting of a monarch or other ruler; treason: the Shah would whip him for his lese-majesty
  • presumptuous 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'