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 ] | 
