blaspheme
verbUK /ˌblæsˈfiːm/ · US /ˈblæs.fim/
Etymology From Middle English blasfemen, blasphemen, from Old French blasfemer, from Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Ancient Greek βλασφημέω (blasphēméō). Doublet of blame.
1
To commit blasphemy; to speak against God or religious doctrine.
- But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 3:29:
- Thus from the holy Warres are we return'd, / To ſlumber in the Summer of ſoft peace, / Since thoſe proud enemies that late blaſpheamd / And ſpit their furies in the face of Heaven, / Are now laid low in duſt.1637, Thomas Heywood, The Royall King, and the Loyall Subject. […], London: […] Nich[olas] and John Okes, for James Becket, […], →OCLC, Act I, signature [A4], recto:
1 more example
- Mrs. Murphy: Don't you blaspheme in here!1980, The Blues Brothers:
2
To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence; to revile impiously (anything sacred).
- So Dagon ſhall be magnifi'd, and God, / Beſides whom is no God, compar'd with Idols, / Diſglorifi'd, blaſphem'd, and had in ſcorn […]1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 32:
- How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge thyself on all those who thus continually blaspheme thy great and all-glorious name?a. 1708, William Beveridge, A Form of Sound Words to be used by Ministers:
3
To calumniate; to revile; to abuse.
- You do blaspheme the good in mocking me.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
- Those who from our labours heap their board, / Blaspheme their feeder and forget their lord.1725, Homer, “Book XIV”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume III, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC:
- Derived terms
- blaspheme-vine, unblasphemed
- Related terms
- blasphemer, blasphemingly, blasphemous, blasphemously, blasphemy