n. [ L. fanum a place dedicated to some deity, a sanctuary, fr. fari to speak. See Fame. ] A temple; a place consecrated to religion; a church. [ Poet. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Such to this British Isle, her Christian fanes. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ See Vane. ] A weathercock. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ Sp. ] A dry measure in Spain and Spanish America, varying from 1&unr_; to 2&unr_; bushels; also, a measure of land. De Colange. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]
Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
The priests in the temple profane the sabbath. Matt. xii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]
So idly to profane the precious time. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a profane manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
The character of God profanely impeached. Dr. T. Dwight. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles what is holy; one who uses profane language. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]