adj. & n.
adj. (profounder, profoundest) 1 a having or showing great knowledge or insight (a profound treatise). b demanding deep study or thought (profound doctrines). 2 (of a state or quality) deep, intense, unqualified (a profound sleep; profound indifference). 3 at or extending to a great depth (profound crevasses). 4 (of a sigh) deep-drawn. 5 (of a disease) deep-seated.
n. (prec. by the) poet. the vast depth (of the ocean, soul, etc.). profoundly adv. profoundness n. profundity n. (pl. -ies).
[ ME f. AF & OF profund, profond f. L profundus deep (as PRO-(1), fundus bottom) ]