Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - profane

 I. transitive verb  (~d; profaning)  Etymology: Middle English prophanen, from Anglo-French prophaner, from Latin profanare, from profanus  Date: 14th century  1. to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt ; desecrate  2. to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use  • ~r noun  II. adjective  Etymology: Middle English prophane, from Middle French, from Latin profanus, from pro- before + fanum temple — more at pro-, feast  Date: 15th century  1. not concerned with religion or religious purposes ; secular  2. not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled ; unsanctified  3.  a. serving to debase or defile what is holy ; irreverent  b. obscene, vulgar  4.  a. not being among the initiated  b. not possessing esoteric or expert knowledge  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun