— profanely , adv. — profaneness , n. — profaner , n.
/preuh fayn", proh-/ , adj., v., profaned, profaning .
adj.
1. characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.
2. not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular (opposed to sacred ).
3. unholy; heathen; pagan: profane rites.
4. not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.
5. common or vulgar.
v.t.
6. to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); defile; debase; employ basely or unworthily.
7. to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of: to profane a shrine.
[ 1350-1400; (adj.) profanus lit., before (outside of) the temple; r. ME prophane prophanus desecrated (see PRO- 1 , FANE); (v.) profanare, deriv. of profanus; r. ME prophanen prophanare to desecrate ]
Syn. 1. blasphemous, sacrilegious, impious, ungodly. 2. temporal. 3. unhallowed. 5. low, mean, base. 7. desecrate.
Ant. 1. sacred. 2. spiritual. 3. holy.