Search Result for "profane": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (2)

1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality;
- Example: "debauch the young people with wine and women"
- Example: "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"
- Example: "Do school counselors subvert young children?"
- Example: "corrupt the morals"
[syn: corrupt, pervert, subvert, demoralize, demoralise, debauch, debase, profane, vitiate, deprave, misdirect]

2. violate the sacred character of a place or language;
- Example: "desecrate a cemetery"
- Example: "violate the sanctity of the church"
- Example: "profane the name of God"
[syn: desecrate, profane, outrage, violate]


ADJECTIVE (4)

1. characterized by profanity or cursing;
- Example: "foul-mouthed and blasphemous"
- Example: "blue language"
- Example: "profane words"
[syn: blasphemous, blue, profane]

2. not concerned with or devoted to religion;
- Example: "sacred and profane music"
- Example: "secular drama"
- Example: "secular architecture", "children being brought up in an entirely profane environment"
[syn: profane, secular]

3. not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled;
[syn: profane, unconsecrated, unsanctified]

4. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred;
- Example: "blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath";
- Example: "profane utterances against the Church"
- Example: "it is sacrilegious to enter with shoes on"
[syn: blasphemous, profane, sacrilegious]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Profane \Pro*fane"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profaned; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Profaning.] [L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See
   Profane, a.]
   [1913 Webster]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The priests in the temple profane the sabbath.
                                                  --Matt. xii.
                                                  5.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base
      employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
      [1913 Webster]

            So idly to profane the precious time. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Profane \Pro*fane"\, a. [F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before
   the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before +
   fanum temple. See 1st Fane.]
   [1913 Webster]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine.
                                                  --Gibbon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.
      [1913 Webster]

            Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed;
        unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked;
        godless; impious. See Impious.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

profane
    adj 1: characterized by profanity or cursing; "foul-mouthed and
           blasphemous"; "blue language"; "profane words" [syn:
           blasphemous, blue, profane]
    2: not concerned with or devoted to religion; "sacred and
       profane music"; "secular drama"; "secular architecture",
       "children being brought up in an entirely profane
       environment" [syn: profane, secular] [ant: sacred]
    3: not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled [syn:
       profane, unconsecrated, unsanctified]
    4: grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred;
       "blasphemous rites of a witches' Sabbath"; "profane
       utterances against the Church"; "it is sacrilegious to enter
       with shoes on" [syn: blasphemous, profane,
       sacrilegious]
    v 1: corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch
         the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was
         accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors
         subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals" [syn:
         corrupt, pervert, subvert, demoralize,
         demoralise, debauch, debase, profane, vitiate,
         deprave, misdirect]
    2: violate the sacred character of a place or language;
       "desecrate a cemetery"; "violate the sanctity of the church";
       "profane the name of God" [syn: desecrate, profane,
       outrage, violate]