PROFANE

I. transitive verb (~d; profaning) Etymology: Middle English prophanen, from Anglo-French prophaner, from Latin profanare, from profanus Date: 14th century to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt ; desecrate , to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use, ~r noun II. adjective see: pro- Date: 15th century not concerned with religion or religious purposes ; secular , not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled ; unsanctified, 3. serving to debase or defile what is holy ; irreverent , obscene , vulgar , 4. not being among the initiated, not possessing esoteric or expert knowledge, ~ly adverb ~ness noun