prəˈfəndəd.ē, prōˈ-, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English profundite, from Middle French profundité, from Latin profunditat-, profunditas depth, from profundus deep + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at profound
1.
a. : intellectual depth : penetrating knowledge : keen insight and understanding
the wisest theologians could not match her in profundity — Willa Cather
the timeless profundity in Jesus — H.E.Fosdick
b. : a profound or abstruse matter, problem, or theory — often used in plural
mythology runs into … philosophical speculation, sometimes grappling with profundities — A.L.Kroeber
c. : a significant thought : wise saying — often used in plural
fitting either to formulate or to revere undergraduate profundities — F.J.Hoffman
2.
a. obsolete : depth as a dimension or a physical feature
b. : the quality or state of being very deep
the profundity of an abyss
c. : something resembling a very deep place
through the vast profundity obscure — John Milton
the profundity of the surrounding shadow — Rebecca West
3. : extreme thoroughness : intensity
whether or not he understood fully the profundity of his action — M.W.Straight