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blas·pheme

(blăs-fēm, blăsfēm′)

v. blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing, blas·phemes

v.tr.

1. To speak of (God or a sacred entity) in an irreverent, impious manner.

2. To revile; execrate.

v.intr.

To speak blasphemy.

[Middle English blasfemen, from Old French blasfemer, from Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Greek blasphēmein, from blasphēmos, evil-speaking, blasphemous; see bhā-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

blas·phemer (blăs-fēmər, blăsfə-) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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