[pro.fane] vt pro.faned ; pro.fan.ing [ME prophanen, fr. L profanare, fr. profanus] (14c) 1: to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt: desecrate
2: to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use -- pro.fan.er n
[2]profane adj [ME prophane, fr. MF, fr. L profanus, fr. pro- before + fanum temple--more at pro-, feast] (15c) 1: not concerned with religion or religious purposes: secular
2: not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled: unsanctified
3: serving to debase or defile what is holy: irreverent
4. a: not being among the initiated b: not possessing esoteric or expert knowledge -- pro.fane.ly adv -- pro.fane.ness n