profane

Definition

Unclean; ritually impure; unholy, desecrating a holy place or thing.

Etymology

From Middle French prophane, from Latin profānus (“not religious, unclean”), from pro- (“before”) + fānum (“temple”).

Example Sentences

• "Nothing is profane that serveth to the use of holy things."
• "profane authors"
• "A sonnet in praise of Rome was accepted as the effusion of genius and gratitude; and after the whole procession had visited the Vatican, the profane wreath was suspended before the shrine."