profane
To violate; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrateTo violate (something sacred); to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate
» The most profane word and the rudest letter are the best, they're more educated than silence.
Meaning
2 senses(transitive)To violate (something sacred); to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate
One should not profane the name of God.
to profane the Scriptures
violate the sacred character of a place or language
(transitive)To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
Examples
3 sentencesThe most profane word and the rudest letter are the best, they're more educated than silence.
The profane language used on network television makes many parents with young children not want to subscribe to cable.
deWegen der lästerlichen Sprache im Network-Fernsehen wollen viele Eltern junger Kinder kein Kabelfernsehen. — Tickler
Mixing the profane with the divine was Ginsberg's shtick.
Translations
3 languagesOrigin
From Middle English prophanen, from Middle French profaner, prophaner and its etymon ClassFrom Middle English prophanen, from Middle French profaner, prophaner and its etymon Classical Latin profānō (also Late Latin prophāno), from profānus + -ō (suffix forming verbs).
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Forms
profanes, profaning, profaned, profanedSynonyms
22 synonymsAntonyms
2 antonymsWord family
8 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle