profane Hear it!

profane Definition

pro·fane (prō fān′, prə-)

adjective

  1. not connected with religion or religious matters; secular profane art
  2. not initiated into the inner mysteries or esoteric knowledge of something
  3. not hallowed or consecrated
  4. showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things; irreverent

Etymology: LME prophane < MFr < L profanus < pro-, before + fanum, temple; lit., outside of the temple, hence not sacred, common: see pro- & fane

transitive verb -·faned′, -·fan′·ing

  1. to treat (sacred things) with irreverence or contempt; desecrate
  2. to put to a base or improper use; debase; defile

profane Related Forms

pro·fane′ly adverb pro·fane′·ness noun pro·fan′er noun

profane Synonyms

profane

modif.

  1. Worldly

    temporal, transitory, transient; see worldly 2.

  2. Irreverent

    godless, irreligious, sacrilegious; see atheistic, impious.

profane Synonyms

profane

v.

despoil, commit sacrilege, befoul, revile, commit sin, be irreligious, scorn, mock, indulge in vice, be evil, do wrong, blaspheme, swear, curse, cuss*.

profane Usage Examples

Object

  • Sabbath: We are warned not to take photographs, write notes or do anything else which might seem to profane the Sabbath.
  • covenant: Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?
  • name: Or if I have too little I'll steal and profane the name of my God.
  • temple: Thus for the third and last time this conqueror invaded Judea and profaned the temple.
  • thing: He must not profane these holy things, because I am the Lord and I make them holy.
  • prince: He's the profaned, wicked prince that is talked about in verse 25.

Modifies a noun

  • language: There should be no use of foul or profane language.
  • history: Yet, like all other countries, the United States exists within profane history.
  • person: He is warning us of the approach of some profane person, and tells us to seek some other retreat to renew our pleasures.
  • word: I spoke to God and I used profane words.
  • world: Humanity, however, has forgotten its divine origins and has become mired in the profane world of desire and material form.
  • man: In our downfall this audacious and profane man undertakes to violate the holy place on earth dedicated to your glorious name.

Modifying Another Word

  • so: You will not so profane the Lord's name.
  • not: Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God.
  • too: And nothing, it seems, is too profane or too outrageous to be fused with " worship.
  • all: A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known e.
  • only: When he violates this sacred trust, he not only profanes his entire cult but threatens the very fabric of international society.