Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state or character of being profane; irreverence toward sacred things; particularly, the use of language which manifests or implies irreverence toward God; the taking of God's name in vain.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality of being profane; profanity

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun unholiness by virtue of being profane
  • noun an attitude of irreverence or contempt for a divinity

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

profane +‎ -ness

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Examples

  • But the Emperors no sooner became Christian than, the idea of profaneness being removed from the secular tribunals, the causes of the Christian laity naturally passed to that resort where those of the generality had been before.

    The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) Edmund Burke 1763

  • And as all kind of profaneness is unprofitable, so more especially customary swearing in ordinary conversation, upon every occasion of passion, or any other trivial cause; nay, it may be without cause, out of mere habit and custom.

    The Works of Dr. John Tillotson, Late Archbishop of Canterbury. Vol. 07. 1630-1694 1820

  • Of this sort is all kind of profaneness, and customary swearing in common conversation; there is neither profit nor pleasure in them.

    The Works of Dr. John Tillotson, Late Archbishop of Canterbury. Vol. 07. 1630-1694 1820

  • It implies, therefore, sacred respect to the character of the Deity, and is opposed to every kind of profaneness, or aught by which one might weaken, in himself or others, the reverential feeling due towards the character, and even the name of the Almighty.

    The Philosophy of the Moral Feelings John Abercrombie 1812

  • "profaneness" of the priests, prophets, and people (Jer 23: 11). course ... evil -- They (both prophets and people) rush into wickedness

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

  • “The Americans have plentifully enjoyed the delights and comforts, as well as the necessaries of life,” said the Newport Mercury, “and it is well known that an increase of wealth and affluence paves the way to an increase of luxury, immorality and profaneness, and here kind providence interposes; and as it were, obliges them to forsake the use of one of their delights, to preserve their liberty.”

    A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010

  • In 1780, he writes candidly in his memoir, uncovered a few years later, he sought the aid of Parliament to crack down on religious criticism in Britain: "The beginning of the winter of 1780 was distinguished by the rise of a new species of dissipation and profaneness."

    Christopher Lane: The Striking History Of Britain's Sunday Law Christopher Lane 2012

  • I enjoyed listening to the wisdom of the members and wish that Ickes had more respect for himself and wish he had not exhibited the anger and profaneness that he did.

    Full Michigan delegation with half-vote to be seated by Dems 2008

  • He thought that it must have been from a notion of penance that they erected the drama into an ideal place of profaneness, and spoke of the theatre as of the tents of sin.

    Chronicles of the Canongate 2008

  • He is represented at the Met by a portrait medallion whose reverse side succeeds in attaining genuine profaneness.

    An Unusual Renaissance Portrait 2008

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