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profaner

to desecrate

verb pro-fah-NEH Rare

Origin: Latin profanare, from profanus (outside the temple)

Also means

to profane

Usage Note

Profaner means to violate the sanctity of something sacred — a grave, a church, or a symbol. The adjective profane (unholy, secular) shares the same root and is a common companion word. A related noun is profanation.

Examples

"Ils ont profané le cimetière."

Natural Translation

They desecrated the cemetery.

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