-prof-

v. t. To profane. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. profanatio: cf. F. profanation. See Profane, v. t. ] 1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with undue publicity, or lack of delicacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T were profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Profaned p. pr. & vb. n. Profaning. ] [ L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See Profane, a. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God. [ 1913 Webster ]

The priests in the temple profane the sabbath. Matt. xii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile. [ 1913 Webster ]

So idly to profane the precious time. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place. “Profane authors.” I. Disraeli. [ 1913 Webster ]

The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue. 1 Tim. i. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a profane manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

The character of God profanely impeached. Dr. T. Dwight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles what is holy; one who uses profane language. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. profanitas. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is profane; profane language or acts. [ 1913 Webster ]

The brisk interchange of profanity and folly. Buckminster. [ 1913 Webster ]