KJV Dictionary Definition: profanation

profanation

PROFANA'TION, n. L. profano. See Profane.

1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; as the profanation of the sabbath by sports, amusements or unnecessary labor; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God by swearing, jesting, &c.

2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect.

'Twere profanation of our joys

To tell the laity our love.

profane

PROFA'NE, a. L. profanus; pro and fanum, a temple.

1. Irreverent to any thing sacred; applied to persons. A man is profane when he takes the name of God in vain, or treats sacred things with abuse and irreverence.

2. Irreverent; proceeding from a contempt of sacred things, or implying it; as profane words or language; profane swearing.

3. Not sacred; secular; relating to secular things; as profane history.

4. Polluted; not pure.

Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things.

5. Not purified or holy; allowed for common use; as a profane place. Ezek.42. and 48.

6. Obscene; heathenish; tending to bring reproach on religion; as profane fables. 1 Tim.4.

Profane is used chiefly in Scripture in opposition to holy, or qualified ceremonially for sacred services.

PROFA'NE, v.t. To violate any thing sacred, or treat it with abuse,irreverence, obloquy or contempt; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the sabbath; to profane the Scriptures or the ordinances of God.

1. To pollute; to defile; to apply to temporal uses; to use as base or common. Ezek.24.

2. To violate. Mal.2.

3. To pollute; to debase.Lev.21.

4. To put to a wrong use.

profaned

PROFA'NED, pp. Violated; treated with irreverence or abuse; applied to common uses; polluted.

profanely

PROFA'NELY, adv. With irreverence to sacred things or names.

The character of God profanely impeached.

1. With abuse or contempt for any thing venerable.

That proud scholar--speaks of Homer too profanely.

profaneness

PROFA'NENESS, n. Irreverence of sacred things; particularly, the use of language which implies irreverence towards God; the taking of God's name in vain.

Profaneness in men is vulgar and odious; in females, is shocking and detestable.

profaner

PROFA'NER, n. One who by words or actions, treats sacred things with irreverence; one who uses profane language.

1. A polluter; a defiler; as a profaner of the temple.

profaning

PROFA'NING, ppr. Violating; treating with irreverence; polluting.

profanity

PROFAN'ITY, n. Profaneness, which see.

In a revel of debauchery, amid the brisk interchange of profanity and folly, religion might appear a dumb, unsocial intruder.