profanation

American  

[prof-uh-ney-shuhn] / ˌprɒf əˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of profaning; desecration; defilement; debasement.

   Synonyms:

   blasphemy, sacrilege

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Etymology

Origin of profanation

First recorded in 1545–55; from Late Latin profānātiōn- (stem of profānātiō “desecration”), equivalent to Latin profānāt(us) (past participle of profānāre “to desecrate”) + -iōn- noun suffix; replacing prophanation, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin prophānātiō, for Late Latin profānātiō, as above; see profane, -ion

Explanation

Profanation is the act of saying or doing something terribly offensive or blasphemous. Swearing in a mosque would definitely be considered profanation by your deeply religious family. When someone violates anything that's considered to be sacred, that's profanation — it's no wonder that you'll most often find this word in a religious context. Disrespecting someone's deeply held religious beliefs is one kind of profanation. Littering at a holy site is another. The words profanation, profanity, and profane all come from the Latin root profanus, "unholy."

Example Sentences

But the prize goes to a rising star, young Sophocles; and presently the Gods' Messenger is formally accused and tried for "Profanation of the Mysteries."

From The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 by Morris, Kenneth

This seems to relate to an Observance among the Jews not to pronounce the proper or peculiar Name of God, they deeming it a Profanation so to do.

From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.

The First Kind of Profanation Profanations are of many kinds.

From Spiritual Life and the Word of God by Swedenborg, Emanuel

Also the Profanation of the Tombs; if anything this was worse.

From The Katipunan or The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Commune by St. Clair, Francis

Profanation to the royal arcanum of their hearts!

From Woven with the Ship A Novel of 1865 by Brady, Cyrus Townsend