/
ˈsakrɪlɪdʒ/
n.
violation or misuse of something regarded as sacred or as having great value.
Derivative
- sacrilegious adj.
- sacrilegiously adv.
Etymology
ME: via OFr. from L. sacrilegium, from sacrilegus ‘stealer of sacred things’, from sacer, sacr- ‘sacred’ + legere ‘take possession of’.
