Pro*fane" , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profaned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Profaning.]
[L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See Profane, a.]
1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.
The
priests in the temple profane the sabbath.
Matt. xii. 5. 2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase;
to abuse; to
defile.
So idly to profane the precious time.
Shak.
Pro*fane" (?), a. [F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i.
e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple.
See 1st Fane.]
1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity;
unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or inspired; as, a profane place. "Profane
authors." I. Disraeli.
The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine.
Gibbon. 2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.
Nothing is
profane that serveth
to holy things.
Sir W. Raleigh.
3. Treating sacred things
with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous;
as, a profane person, word, oath, or
tongue. 1 Tim. i.
9.
Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious.
Hear it pronounced