blasphemy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   speech or conduct that shows contempt for God, a religion, or something held sacred

   The authorities charged the writer with blasphemy after he mocked the state religion.

2. 2
   noun

   an act or opinion treated as outrageous because it violates a deeply respected convention

   To the purists, serving the dish without its traditional sauce was culinary blasphemy.

From Middle English blasfemie, through Old French and Ecclesiastical Latin blasphēmia, from Greek blasphēmía, 'slander' or 'profane speech.' The religious sense developed from speech that defamed or dishonored the divine.

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