1.
2.
[syn: profanation, desecration, blasphemy, sacrilege]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Blasphemy \Blas"phe*my\, n. [L. blasphemia, Gr. ?: cf. OF.
blasphemie.]
1. An indignity offered to God in words, writing, or signs;
impiously irreverent words or signs addressed to, or used
in reference to, God; speaking evil of God; also, the act
of claiming the attributes or prerogatives of deity.
[1913 Webster]
Note: When used generally in statutes or at common law,
blasphemy is the use of irreverent words or signs in
reference to the Supreme Being in such a way as to
produce scandal or provoke violence.
[1913 Webster]
2. Figuratively, of things held in high honor: Calumny;
abuse; vilification.
[1913 Webster]
Punished for his blasphemy against learning.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
blasphemy
n 1: blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for
something sacred)
2: blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its
sacred character; "desecration of the Holy Sabbath" [syn:
profanation, desecration, blasphemy, sacrilege]