rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: pro-
Latin

pro-

before, forward; on behalf of

Forms

  • pro-
  • por- — An older Latin variant retained in some compounds.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *pro, ‘before; forward.’

Note

Standing in front of someone can develop into acting on that person’s behalf.

36 / 131
A person carelessly trampling and muddying a small sacred ceremonial cloth fallen beside an altar, feet only and symbolic candles; clear disrespectful treatment, no identifiable religion or desecration gore.
noun

profanation

prah-fuh-NAY-shun/prˌɔfʌnˈeɪʃʌn/

The act of treating something sacred with disrespect.

Etymology
proLatinbefore, forward; on behalf of
+fanLatintemple
+ationLatinan action, process, or result

The image “in front of the temple” underlies the sense “not consecrated.” Profanation names the act of rendering something holy unholy by treating it with contempt or irreverence.

Full entry

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