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Meaning of profane in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /prəˈfeɪn/

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  1. Verb

    profane

    Definitions

    1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

    Examples

    • « debauch the young people with wine and women »
    • « Socrates was accused of corrupting young men »
    • « Do school counselors subvert young children? »
    • « corrupt the morals »
  2. 2. violate the sacred character of a place or language

    Examples

    • « desecrate a cemetary »
    • « violate the sanctity of the church »
    • « profane the name of God »
  3. Classifying Adjective

    profane

    Definitions

    1. characterized by profanity or cursing

    Examples

    • « foul-mouthed and blasphemous »
    • « blue language »
    • « profane words »

    Synonyms

    • dirty
  4. 2. not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled

    Synonyms

    • unholy
    • unhallowed
  5. 3. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred

    Examples

    • « blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath »
    • « profane utterances against the Church »
    • « it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on »

    Synonyms

    • irreverent
  6. Qualitative Adjective

    profane

    Etymology

    late Middle English (in the sense ‘heathen’): from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus‘outside the temple, not sacred’, from pro- (from Latin pro‘before’) + fanum‘temple’

    Definitions

    1. not sacred or concerned with religion

    Examples

    • « sacred and profane music »
    • « children being brought up in an entirely profane environment »

    Synonyms

    • laic
    • lay
    • secular
    • profanatory
    • secularized
    • secularised
    • temporal
    • worldly

    Antonyms

    • sacred

See also

  • earthly
  • impious

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