Sac"ri*lege (?), n. [F.
sacrilège, 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.