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

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

Initially, it meant 'theft of sacred things,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'showing disrespect for something sacred.'