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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.

Prophane, Profane, v. Also: prophain(e, -fain(e. [ME and e.m.E. prophane (Wyclif), -fain (1548), -fane (1623), -phain (Pennsylvania, 1685), OF prophaner (1328 in Wartburg), profraner (1538 in Wartburg), L. profānāre (med. L. also prophanare), f. profān-us Prophan(e adj.] tr. To treat (something sacred) with irreverence, contempt or neglect; to desecrate.(1) 1533 Boece 301 b.
In repairing of the kirkis prophanet [Bell. (M) distroyitt, L. labefactatis] be Saxouns 1562-3 Winȝet I 94/4.
Sen the weschelis and ornamentis appropriat to the seruice of God suld nocht be prophanit in wthir commoun vseis Ib. 115 heading. 1569 Reg. Privy C. I 688 (see Prophanely adv.). 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi in 1563-72 Tracts 73.
Bot now to speik of ȝour tempilis … all men seis to quhat miserabill rewyne and decay thay are cum, ȝea, thay ar sa prophanit, that … ȝour kirkis … ar mair like to scheip cottis then the housis of God 1581 Burne Disput. 190.
Prophaning the sam [sanctuary] vith al kind of licherie, filth, … murther, bucherie 1586 James VI in Gray Lett. & P. 121.
Whose holy ordinance will not admit the sacred diademe to bee profained 1596 Dalr. II 401/18.(b) 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. x.
No more should the graue of the godly honourable be profaned with the graceless ginge Ib. xvii h. of ch.
What house a kirk is, and how far by buriall it is profaned 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 180.
Quhairby thes restles and unquiet ministers profaning the chaire of veritie with sclanderous … rallings(2) 1554 Knox III 198.
Chryst and His gospell are oppugned, His holy sacramentes are prophaned 1560 Conf. Faith in 14.. Acts II 530/1.
As … to prophaine abuse or contempne the sacramentis of Christ Jesus 1560 Acts II 535/1.
Ȝit nottheles thair is sum … that stubburnlie perseueris in … sayand mes and baptizand conforme to the papis kirk prophanand thairthrow the sacramentis foirsaidis 1562-3 Winȝet I 5/27. 1574–5 Edinb. Kirk S. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 286 n.
That … Robin Huidis playis wes … playit, and thair throw prophanand the fasting 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv Prol. 13.
Goddis true preceptis and preiching to prophane(3) 1582 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 565.
Forsameikle as the Sabboth day many wayes is profaned [and violated] to the great dishonour of God and speciallie be halding of mercatts … vpon that day 1583 Stirling Presb. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 289.
That on Sonday last thair was ane drum strwkin … & Maij playis vsit quhairby the Sabbothe day was prophainit and the kirk sclanderit 1587 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 721.
Profained 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V 39.
That the Sabboth day is many wayis prophanit … speciallie be sic as abyding fra the sermones vaigs throw the streitts makand all kynd of mysordour 1597 Reg. Privy C. V 383. 1621 Stirling Kirk S. in Misc. Maitl. C. I 459.
Quha confessis he prophanit the Sabboth be playing at the kyllis in tyme of the sermond 1623 Reg. Privy C. XIII 367. 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 336. 1643 Fugitive Poetry II xx 16/2.
The prelats, who Gods Sabbaths with their playes Profaind a1651 Calderwood III 357. 1653 Dumfries Kirk S. 18 Aug.
For profaineing the Lords day in fishing with halff netts 1669 Meikle Old Session Bk. 85.
Prophain 1678 Moray Synod 168. 1693 Sc. Ant. IV 83.(4) 1658 Boharm Kirk S. 3 Jan.
Isobel Clerk confessed scolding but denied that she had profaned the Lord's name 1704 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 158.
Non may do or speak wikedly wrongfully or obsceinly, such therfor as prophaine Gods sacred name and vent horreid oaths [etc.]

b. To violate (a virgin). 1562-3 Winȝet II 21/32.
Than wes mariit women defilit, wedowis spulȝeit, virginis prophanit [L. profanatae virgines], monasteriis destroyit [etc.]