sā̆crĭlĕgĭum, ii, n. [sacrilegus] (not ante-Aug.).
- I. The robbing of a temple, stealing of sacred things, sacrilege: sacrilegium est, rem sacram de templo surripere, Quint. 7, 3, 10; cf. id. 7, 3, 22; 5, 10, 39; Liv. 29, 8; 29, 18; 32, 1; 42, 3 al.; Quint. 5, 14, 11; 7, 3, 21; Tac. Agr. 6 fin.; Phaedr. 4, 11, 3 al.
In plur., Suet. Caes. 54 fin. (with rapinae).
- II. Violation or profanation of sacred things, sacrilege (post-Aug.): cum in caelum insanitis, non dico sacrilegium facitis, sed operam perditis, Sen. Vit. Beat. 27, 1: non sine quodam sacrilegi metu, Flor. 2, 17, 12: aliquem sacrilegii damnare, Nep. Alcib. 6, 4: parum se grate gerere sacrilegium est, Sen. Ben. 1, 4, 4; Curt. 4, 3, 23.