Profaneness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state or quality of being offensive, vulgar, or blasphemous in language or behavior
2. Refers to the characteristic of containing irreverent, crude, or rude expressions or actions
3. Denotes the attribute of showing disrespect or indecency, often through speech or conduct

Etymology: "Profaneness" is a plain formation: the adjective "profane" with the suffix "-ness" attached, which turns a quality into a noun. The adjective came into English from Latin "profanus," meaning literally "outside the temple," from "pro-" (before, in front of) and "fanum" (a sacred place). Something profane was whatever stood outside the sacred precinct, which is why the word's core sense is irreverence toward holy things before it broadened to mean vulgar or disrespectful speech and conduct. The suffix does the same kind of work in many English nouns. It descends from Old English "-nes," a noun-forming ending that has been used with native adjectives since the earliest records of the language, so "profaneness" pairs a Latin-derived base with one of the oldest productive endings in English. Attaching "-ness" to a borrowed adjective was a natural step once the adjective had settled into everyday use.

Synonyms: blasphemy, irreverence, vulgarity, impiety, swearing

Antonyms: piety, sanctity, reverence, holiness