'sacrilege' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'sacrilegium,' where 'sacri-' meant 'sacred' and 'legere' meant 'to gather or steal.'

'sacrilegium' transformed into the Old French word 'sacrilege,' and eventually became the modern English word 'sacrilege' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to steal sacred things,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'violation of sacred things.'