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.).
Derivatives:
profoundly adv. profoundness n. profundity n. (pl. -ies).
Etymology: ME f. AF & OF profund, profond f. L profundus deep (as PRO-(1), fundus bottom)