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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prophan(e, Profan(e, adj. Also: prophain(e, -fain(e, -fainn-, -fayne. [e.m.E. prophane (1483), -phan (16th c.), -phaine (1614), -fane (1609), OF prophane (1228 in Godef. Compl.), MF profane (16th c.), L. profānus (med. L. also prophanus) not sacred, impious.]The unetymological spelling with medial ph predominates throughout; that with medial f occurs first in Bann. MS, and thereafter occas. in the late 16th c. and the 17th c.

1. Not sacred or religious or ecclesiastical; civil (processes of law, judges, etc.); human or worldly as opposed to spiritual; secular, lay; unconsecrated. Also absol.(1) 1474 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 37 n.
That quhar … scho schapis to procede agains him befor you in the spirituale courte … we … commendis, that the said action is prophane & is decidit & finaly endit befor the said lordis 1479–80 Acta Conc. I 48/2.
Sen it is a prophane accion and aw to be determyt be our souerain lordis temporale lawis 1501 Ib. III 9.
[An action] quhilk is the self civile and prophane 1531 Bell. Boece II 173, 262. 1639 Sc. Ant. III 131.
Prophaine(b) 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 109 b.
Profane(2) 1531 Bell. Boece II 181.
That kirkmen … sall not be drawin afore prophane jugis [M. to be exoneratt fra … prophane iugement, Boece to prophane iugement, L. ad prophana non traherentur iudicia] Ib. 262.(3) 1513 Doug. vi iv 47.
All ȝe that bene prophane, away, away [L. procul este profani], Swith outwith al the sanctuar hy ȝow 1560 Conf. Faith in 14.. Acts II 530/2.
And thairfoir it [sc. the Church] is callit the communioun not of prophaine persounis bot of sanctis a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxx 98.
For fortoun is nocht bot ane fabill vane Inuentit be philosophouris profane [Q. prophaine] 1602 Colville Paraenese 73.
Prophane persons violently intrusing thair self in … possessions ecclesiastique(4) 1531 Bell. Boece II 173.
Kirkmen … sall abstene fra all prophane labouris [L. prophanis] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 420.
[Sa fet]terit in the net of lufe prophane a 1560 Reg. Soltre 214.
And keip … all ornamentis … and all thyngis concernand to the kyrk … and the ald and prophane ornamentis to deliuer to the cheptor and thaim to fynd hym new ornamentis agane 1562-3 Winȝet I 84/5.
And quhy baptize ȝe in the kirk and in ony prophane basin Ib. 94 heading. 1565 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 154.
Alsweill on the Sabbaoth as vtheris prophane dayis 1570–1 Knox in Bann. Memor. 99.
Whare I am accused of intromedling civeill and profaine thingis with the word of God … I ansuer that when thai sall teiche me … that the repruife of vice is a civile and prophane thing and … perteaneth not to the ministrie I sall [etc.] 1588 Old Ross-shire I 26.
Becaus Alexander Ros … maks his girnell and ladner hous thairof [sc. of the chapter-house] with uther prophain usis 1595–6 Reg. Privy C. V 268.
Personis … quha … be … na … meane can be reduceit frome thair … oppin … prophanatioun of the said Sabboth … bot usis thair marcheandice in bying and selling and all uthir prophane exerceissis upoun that day 1596 Dalr. I 349/15.
He … burnes all buikes asweill haly as prophane 1604 Elgin Rec. II 124.
Prophaine(b) 1574–5 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 323.
That … comedies tragedies and vthers profane playes as are not made vpon authentick partes of the Scripture … be not playit vpon the Sabboth dayes 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 84/10.
Applying all the mischiuous reulers in the bible or profane histors to hir hienes(c) 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V 63.
That thair dochters … be nocht fund playing at the ball nor singing of profayne sangs upoun [Sunday](5) 1533 Boece 586.
And but reverence defoulit the rowme to almychty God dedicat regarding baith prophane and hallowit placis elik 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 76.
The Lady College Kyrk … decernit suspendit and ane prophane hows 1561–2 Ib. 134.
Becaws the … divorciment wes pronuncit into ane privat and prophane hows (sa called in papistre)(6) absol. 1562-3 Winȝet II 21/28.
And confound all bayth priuat and publict bayth hallowit and prophane 1596 Dalr. II 408/13. 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xviii.
For historiee of punished profanation (beside diuers among the prophets … ) among the profane, the exemples thereof are infinite

2. Passing into: Contrary or opposed to or neglectful or contemptuous of the holy; ungodly, unholy, irreligious, unhallowed; heathen, superstitious; impious, blasphemous. Also absol.(1) a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 349 (Harl.).
Off temporale proffit quhilk is nere prophane, The blounderit besines 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 832.
Prudent Sanct Paule thocht propertie prophane a1538 Abell 96 b.
The caus … wes prophane profession with abnegatioun of Christ and spittin on the crucifix 1549 Compl. 83/3.
To that effect that there diabolic prophane propheseis may be fulfillit c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 387.
Hir [sc. Love's] warkis ar sa odious and prophane 1556 Knox IV 119.
That it [sc. the institution of baptism] is adulterat and so consequentlie prophane is evident 1562-3 Winȝet II 20/29.
Detesting the prophane schisme [L. profano schismate] Ib. 29/4.
Quhais prophane vane clattir makis mekle to vngodlines Ib. 55/10.
And gif noweltie is prophane and vngodlie, antiquitie is haly and sanctifiit 1567 G. Ball. Title-p.
Diueris vtheris ballattis changeit out of prophane sangis in godlie sangis, for auoyding of sin and harlatrie 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxx. 1585 Ib. lxxi.
We detest his prophane holie water 1585 James VI Ess. 29.
If ye be heauenly, how dar ye presume A verse prophane and mocking for to sing 1596 Dalr. I 135 marg.
Tempilis & places of sacrifice to prophane godis ar heir institute Ib. 188/28.
Al the prophane rites of the ethnikis 1599 Elgin Rec. II 76. 1649 Acts VI ii 144/2. 1650 Sc. Ant. IV 28.
The prophane course and unchristian cariages of some young men at the brydel(b) a1568 Scott i 116 (Bann.).
Prophaine 1567 G. Ball. 237. a1578 Pitsc. I 66/18.
[He] also spullȝeit kirkis … and committit the jewellis thairof to his prophaine use and profitte 1659 S. Ronaldshay 29.
And thair sung wantone and prophaine songs in contempt of the minister(c) a1568 Scott xxxiv 47 (Bann.).
Ȝour prettikis ar profane 1583 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 640.
Oft tymes the ȝouth … , founding them vpon the bruckle authoritie of profane wryters, mantaines thair godles and profane opinions obstinately in disputatioun 1588 King Cat. 58.
Fra this profane noueltie … effrayis vs the apostolique … doctrine 1594 Glasgow Presb. in Misc. Maitl. C. I 68.
That wpone the Sondaye … nane gif thame selfis to pastymes and profane gaymes 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xviii.
Beside these propheticall, apocriphall, or profane proues 1614 Elgin Rec. II 138.
Nevir to ws profane fassiounes nor na badrie 1663 S. Ronaldshay 44.(d) 1669 Salmon Borrowstounness 86.
Profaine langwage(2) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 101.
Throw quhilk he grew noch onlie ane prophane and diffamytt creature, bot als [etc.] 1549 Compl. 82/26.
The quhilkis prophane prophetis and vaticinaris 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 154/15.
How thai ar sum prophane precheouris that thrawis the scripture [etc.] 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi in 1563-72 Tracts 72.
Geuin to prophane men, flattereris in court, ruffianes and hyrelingis 1587-99 Hume 83/110.
Be temperate … least thou … become prophane, and harden thy heart 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 48.
Margaret Vndervod, ane prophane godles lever 1606 Forbes Rec. 520.
Bot also even the reinȝies loussed to all prophane persons and papists … to abuse the ministrie 1620 Elgin Rec. II 165.
That na persoun be deprehended prophane or levd … nather singing bawdrie songis nor na lewd fassones a1665 W. Guthrie Letters Horning 6.
Look that there be not such a prophane dog amongst you as that prophane lowne Esau, sayes the apostle 1686 Cramond Kirk S. II 16 May.
To remove these prophan women, from Jean Allans house, whom she presentlie harbours Great Grievance of Scotland (1689) 1.
Of atheists and prophane ruffians(b) 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi in 1563-72 Tracts 69.
Thay schew thame selfis … prophaine and proud contempneris of the grace of God 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 267.
Barbara Ker, that prophaine scandalous woman(c) 1596 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 865.
Such [ministers] as be … irreverent as profaners … and sensles profane and making no conscience of thair professioun Ib. 866.
In vseing light and profane companie vnlawfull gameing [etc.] 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xvii.
For they in consecrations being more nor superstitious … are … prodigally profane 1608 Glasgow B. Rec. I 275.
Cokalandis … set out in this toune be sum profane and insolent personis 1655 Brodie Diary 122.
Profan c1680 W. Row Blair 187.
Profane 1695 J.M. Beale Fife Schools 233.
[Not] to keep company with profane or vain loose livers drunkards or swearers(d) 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 600.
The leveing of a most malignant and profaine gaurd of horsse to be aboute the king a1651 Calderwood VII 458.
Manie of the profainner sort 1661–5 W. Guthrie in Sel. Biog. II 74.
Profain(3) transf. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxvi 35.
The pepill so wickit ar of feiris, The frutles erde all witnes beiris, The ayr infectit and prophane a1568 Scott iv 6.
Forbeir all place prophane c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 425.
Moir grit expens is maid … Upon ane pair of prophane monstruus hose, Nor wald do cleith ane hundreth of the pure 1611-57 Mure Spirituall Hymne 20.
With hands, with hearts prophaine(4) absol. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. lvii 4.
As pagnisme poets and profane compylis 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xvii.
What doe we else but partake with the profane in their paganicall papistrie?