adjective
1.
characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.
2.
not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular ( opposed to sacred ).
3.
unholy; heathen; pagan: profane rites.
4.
not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.
5.
common or vulgar.
verb (used with object)
6.
to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); defile; debase; employ basely or unworthily.
7.
to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of: to profane a shrine.
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Profane
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| prolong; extended in time |
Origin:
1350–1400; (adj.) < Latin profānus literally, before (outside of) the temple; replacing Middle English prophane < Medieval Latin prophānus desecrated (see pro-1, fane); (v.) < Latin profānāre, derivative of profānus; replacing Middle English prophanen < Medieval Latin prophānāre to desecrate
1350–1400; (adj.) < Latin profānus literally, before (outside of) the temple; replacing Middle English prophane < Medieval Latin prophānus desecrated (see pro-1, fane); (v.) < Latin profānāre, derivative of profānus; replacing Middle English prophanen < Medieval Latin prophānāre to desecrate
Related forms
pro·fane·ly, adverb
pro·fane·ness, noun
pro·fan·er, noun
half-pro·fane, adjective
non·pro·fane, adjective
non·pro·fane·ly, adverb
non·pro·fane·ness, noun
sem·i·pro·fane, adjective
sem·i·pro·fane·ly, adverb
sem·i·pro·fane·ness, noun
un·pro·fane, adjective
un·pro·fane·ly, adverb
un·pro·fane·ness, noun
un·pro·faned, adjective
Synonyms
1. blasphemous, sacrilegious, impious, ungodly. 2. temporal. 3. unhallowed. 5. low, mean, base. 7. desecrate.
1. blasphemous, sacrilegious, impious, ungodly. 2. temporal. 3. unhallowed. 5. low, mean, base. 7. desecrate.
Antonyms
1. sacred. 2. spiritual. 3. holy.
1. sacred. 2. spiritual. 3. holy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To profane
Collins
World English Dictionary
profane (prəˈfeɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | having or indicating contempt, irreverence, or disrespect for a divinity or something sacred |
| 2. | not designed or used for religious purposes; secular |
| 3. | not initiated into the inner mysteries or sacred rites |
| 4. | vulgar, coarse, or blasphemous: profane language |
| —vb | |
| 5. | to treat or use (something sacred) with irreverence |
| 6. | to put to an unworthy or improper use |
| [C15: from Latin profānus outside the temple, from | |
| profanation | |
| —n | |
| profanatory | |
| —adj | |
| pro'fanely | |
| —adv | |
| pro'faneness | |
| —n | |
| pro'faner | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
profane
late 14c., from L. profanare "to desecrate," from profanus "unholy, not consecrated," from pro fano "not admitted into the temple (with the initiates)," lit. "out in front of the temple," from pro- "before" + fano, abl. of fanum "temple." The adj. is attested from late 15c.; originally "un-ecclesiastical,
secular;" sense of "unholy, polluted" is recorded from c.1500.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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