PROFANATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does profanation mean? 

• PROFANATION (noun)
  The noun PROFANATION has 2 senses:

1. blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character

2. degradation of something worthy of respect; cheapening

  Familiarity information: PROFANATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROFANATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

blasphemy; desecration; profanation; sacrilege

Context example:

desecration of the Holy Sabbath

Hypernyms ("profanation" is a kind of...):

irreverence; violation (a disrespectful act)

Derivation:

profane (violate the sacred character of a place or language)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Degradation of something worthy of respect; cheapening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("profanation" is a kind of...):

debasement; degradation (changing to a lower state (a less respected state))

Derivation:

profane (corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality)

 Context examples 

Sincerity! It seems like a profanation of the word to write it in connection with such a monster, so asked him point-blank:—Why may I not go to-night?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"I suppose it would be profanation to eat anything in this spick-and-span bower, so as I'm tremendously hungry, I propose an adjournment," he added presently.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)