Profanation

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Profanation \Prof`a*na"tion\, n. [L. profanatio: cf. F.
     profanation. See {Profane}, v. t.]
     1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them
        with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar
        treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the
        profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a


        sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with
        undue publicity, or lack of delicacy.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              'T were profanation of our joys
              To tell the laity our love.           --Donne.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  profanation
       n 1: blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its
            sacred character; "desecration of the Holy Sabbath"
            [syn: {desecration}, {blasphemy}, {sacrilege}]
       2: degradation of something worthy of respect; cheapening

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  48 Moby Thesaurus words for "profanation":
     abomination, abuse, abuse of office, atrocity, befoulment,
     blasphemousness, blasphemy, conversion, corrupt administration,
     debasement, defalcation, defilement, desecration, disgrace,
     diversion, embezzlement, fouling, ignominy, impiety, infamy,
     maladministration, malfeasance, malpractice, malversation,
     misapplication, misappropriation, misconduct, misemployment,
     misfeasance, mishandling, mismanagement, misusage, misuse,
     peculation, perversion, pilfering, pity, pollution,
     poor stewardship, profaneness, profanity, prostitution, sacrilege,
     sacrilegiousness, scandal, shame, terrible thing, violation