Sac"ri*lege (?), n. [F. sacrilege, L. sacrilegium, from sacrilegus that steals, properly, gathers or picks up, sacred things; sacer sacred + legere to gather, pick up. See Sacred, and Legend.]
The sin or crime of violating or profaning sacred things; the alienating to laymen, or to common purposes, what has been appropriated or consecrated to religious persons or uses.
And the hid treasures in her sacred tomb
With sacrilege to dig.
Spenser.
Families raised upon the ruins of churches, and enriched with the spoils of sacrilege.
South.
© Webster 1913.