adj. 1. Marked by contempt or irreverence for what is sacred. 2. Nonreligious in subject matter, form, or use; secular: sacred and profane music. 3. Not admitted into a body of secret knowledge or ritual; uninitiated. 4. Vulgar; coarse. tr.v. pro·faned, pro·fan·ing, pro·fanes 1. To treat with irreverence: profane the name of God. 2. To put to an improper, unworthy, or degrading use; abuse. [Middle English prophane, from Old French, from Latin profānus, from prō fānō, in front of the temple : prō-, before, outside; see PRO-1 + fānō, ablative of fānum, temple; see dhēs- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pro·fana·to′ry (prō-fănə-tôr′ē, prə-) adj. pro·fanely adv. pro·faner n. |
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