[ 'sakrɪlɪdʒ ]
■ noun violation or misuse of something regarded as sacred or as having great value.
Derivatives
sacrilegious adjective
sacrilegiously adverb
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. sacrilegium , from sacrilegus 'stealer of sacred things', from sacer , sacr- 'sacred' + legere 'take possession of'.