proem 
opening, an Introduction, < ~p<>, before, + nl/iat;, 
a path, road.] A preface: introduction; pre- 
amble ; preliminary observations prefixed to a 
book or writing. 
In the IT, it,, in, off hys notablle boke. 
{turn, of I'artenay (E. E. T. 8.), Int., 1. 80. 
.HO gloccd the tempter, and Ut proem tuned. 
Milton, 1'. I.., ix. M9. 
Thim much may serve by way of proem ; 
Proceed we therefore to our poem. 
t. Death of Dr. Swift 
4754 
profanation (prof-a-na'shon), ii. 
e\*Qproplniinitiini ; 
[Formerly 
The proeme, or preamble, li often called In to help the 
construction of an act of parliament 
Bladatane, Com., I., Int., ii. 
proemt (pro'em), r. I. [(.proem, n.} To preface. 
[Rare.] 
Moses might here very well proeme the repetition of the 
covenant upbraiding reprehension. 
South, Sermons, VIII. xiil. 
proembryo (pro-em'bri-6), M. [< Or. irp6, be- 
fore, 4- i/t/ipvov, embryo : see embryo.} In hot. : 
(a) In Characeie, the product of the develop- 
ment and division of the oospore, upon which 
the characeous plant develops as a lateral bud. 
(6) In Arehegoniata, the product of the devel- 
opment and division of the oospore before the 
differentiation of the embryo. Goebel. (c) In 
phanerogams, same as siispensor. 
proembryonic (pro-em-bn-ou'ik), . [< pro- 
cmbryo(n-) + -if.] In hot., of or relating to the 
proembryo. Vines, Physiol. of Plants, p. 599. 
Proembryonic branch. In the Characex, a propaga- 
tive body, with the structure of a proembryo, which 
springs from a node of the stem. 
proemial (pro-e'mi-al), a. [< proem + -?.] 
Having the character of aproem ; introductory ; 
prefatory; preliminary. 
This contempt of the world may be a piece of proeinial 
piety, an usher or Baptist to repentance. 
Uammond, Works, IV. 492. 
proemptosis (pro-emp-to'sis), n. [< Gr. as if 
*npoe/iirTuoif, < vpot/tviineiv, fall or push in be- 
fore, < vp6, before, + iftTriirretv, fall upon (> l/i- 
TtTuoif, a falling upon), < cv, in, upon, + iriirmv, 
fall.] In ehroH., an anticipation, or occurrence 
of a natural event sooner than the time given by 
a rule ; especially, the falling of the new moon 
earlier than the nineteen-year period would 
make it, amounting to one day in 312^ years 
according to Clavius and the constructors of 
the Gregorian calendar (really 310 years), in 
consequence of which a lunar correction is in- 
troduced into the tables for calculating Easter ; 
also, the effect of the precession of the equi- 
noxes in making these come before the sun has 
performed his circuit among the stars. See 
metemptoHis. 
proepimeral (pr6-ep-i-me'ral), a. [< proe/ii- 
mer-oit + -al.} Of or pertaining to the proepi- 
meron. 
proepimeron (pro-ep-i-me'roii), .; pi. nroepi- 
mera (-rii). [NL., < L. pro, before, 4- NL. eni- 
meron, q. v.J The epimeron of the protho- 
rax ; the epimeral sclerite of the propleuron. 
proepisternal (prd-ep-i-ster'nal),rt. [<pro?pi- 
stfrnum+ -/.] Of or pertaining to the proepi- 
stenmm. 
proSpisternum (pro-ep-i-ster'num), . ; pi. pro- 
rpixterna (-nft). [NL., < L. pro, before, + 
NL. epistcrnnm, q. v.] The prothoracic cpi- 
sternum ; the cpisternal sclerite of the propleu- 
ron. 
proethnic (pro-eth'nik), a. [< Gr. jr/xi, before, 
+ iOvmof, ethnic : see ethnic.'] Prior to division 
into separate races: said of an original pre- 
historic stock, for example, Indo-European or 
Aryan . 
proeupolyzoon (pro-u-pol-i-zo'on), . [NL., 
< L. pro, before, + N'L. Eitpolyzoa, q. v.] The 
hypothetical ancestral form of the Eupoly:oa. 
E. II. LanJcexter. [Bare.] 
profacet, intfrj. [< OF. prou face, prou fasse : 
prou, profit (see proic'l); fare, faice, fosse, 3d 
pers. sing. pres. subj. olfaire, do: see fact.'] 
Much good may it do yon! an old exclamation 
of welcome. 
The cardlnall came In. booted and spurred, all sodalnly 
amongst them and bade them prof ace. 
Slow, Chron., p. 528. 
Sweet sir, sit. . . . Pro/act .' What you want In meat 
well have In drink. Shot., 2 Hen. IV., v. 3. 80. 
profanatet (prof a-uat), r. t. and i. [< L. profa- 
naltut, pp. of prdj'Hiiarr, consecrate, desecrate: 
see profane. "\ To profane. 
And there. In a certalne chappell not hallowed, or rather 
In a prophaiw cottage, hath In contempt of the keyes pre- 
sumed of his ownc rsshnesse to celebrate, nay rath' r ti> 
pruphanatt, Foxr, Martyrs, p. 430, an. 13l. 
, . . . 
fanacjlo=:lt.profana:ione,<.lili.}>rofanatio(n-'), 
profanation, < L. profanare, pp. profanatu*, 
desecrate, also consecrate: see profane.~\ 1. 
The act of violating sacred things, or of treat- 
ing them with contempt or irreverence ; dese- 
cration : as, the profanation of the Lord's day ; 
the profanation of a sanctuary. 
Here I observed a great prophanation of the Lord's sup- 
per. Coryat, Crudities, I. 3. 
I held It no Profanation of this Sunday-evening ... to 
employ some Hours to meditate on you, and send you this 
friendly Salute. UoweU, Letters, I. v. 11. 
2. The act of treating with too little reserve 
or delicacy, or of making common. 
Twere profanation of our Joys 
To tell the laity our love. 
Donne, Valediction Forbidding Mourning. 
Distorted from Its [poetry's] use and just design, 
To make the pitiful possessor shine, . . . 
Is profanation of the basest kind. 
Cowper, Table-Talk, I. 758. 
= Syn. 1. Profanation, Desecration. Sacrilege, pollution. 
The first three words express offenses, amounting almost 
or quite to outrages, against the religious sentiment, In 
connection with places, days, etc. , taking off their sacred 
character. They are In the order of strength. Profana- 
tion is perhaps most distinctly a matter of Irreverence. 
Sacrilege seems most directly an invasion of the rights of 
God. 
Great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them, 
Hut in the less, foul profa nation. 
Shalt., M. for M., li. 2. 128. 
O double tacrUegr. on things divine, 
To rob the relic, and deface the shrine ! 
Dryden, To the Memory of Mrs. Anne Killigrew, 1. 1BO. 
profanatory (pro-fan'a-to-ri), a. [< profane + 
-atory.} Profaning or desecrating; destructive 
to sacred character or nature; apt to produce 
irreverence, contempt, or the like. 
Every one now had tasted the wassail-cup except Pauli- 
na, whose pas de fee ou de fantaisie nobody thought of In- 
terruptlng to offer so profanatory a draught. 
Charlotte Bronte, Villette, xxv. 
profane (pro-fan' ), a. [Formerly tdsoproiiliane; 
< OF. profane, proplianr, F. profane = 8p. Pg. 
It. profano = IX profaan = G. S\v. Dan. pro- 
fun, (. L. profanus, ML, also often prophatMU, 
profess 
Wonder of nature, let ft not profane thee 
My rude hand touch thy beauty. 
r'Mcher (and otlien), Bloody Brother, v. >. 
How by her patient Victor Death was slain, 
And Earth prophan'd, yet bless'd, with Delclde. 
Prior, I am that I am, st. -. 
The temple and its holy rites profaned. 
Cowper, Expostulation, 1. 145. 
2. To put to a wrong use; employ basely or 
unworthily. 
I feel me much to blame, 
So Idly to profane the precious time. 
Shale., 2 Hen. IV., II. 4. 8*1. 
One word is too often profaned 
For me to profane it Shelley, To . 
St. To make known ; make common : said of 
something confined to an initiated few. [Rare.] 
Wisdom Is not profaned unto the world, and 'tis the 
privilege of a few to be virtuous. 
Sir T. Browne, Kellglo Medici, II. 4. 
II. intrtinx. To speak or behave blasphemous- 
ly or profanely. 
They grew very troublesome to the better sort of people, 
and furnished the looser with an occasion to profane. 
Penn, Else and Progress of Quakers, L 
profanely (pro-fan'li), adv. In a profane man- 
ner; with irreverence to sacred thingsoruames; 
impiously ; with abuse or contempt for anything 
venerable: as, to speak profanely of God or sa- 
cred things. 
profaneness (pro-fan 'nes), w. The state or 
character of being profane ; irreverence toward 
sacred things ; particularly, the use of language 
which manifests or implies irreverence toward 
God; the taking of God's name in vain. 
profaner (pro-fa'ner), H. 1. One who profanes, 
or who by words or actions treats sacred things 
with irreverence; a user of profane language. 
There are a lighter ludicrous sort of profanen, who use 
Scripture to furnish out their jests. 
Govermnrnt of the Tongue. 
2. A polluter; a defiler. 
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, 
Profanert of this neighbour-stained steel. 
Shot., R. and J., I. 1. 80. 
profanismt, . [Also prophani&mc; < profane + 
-ism.} Profaneness; profanity. [Rare.] 
Bee It spoken without prophanisme. 
Marfton, What you Will, Iv. 1. 
not sacred, unholy, profane; of persons, not profanity (pro-fan'i-ti), n. [< OF. profanite, 
initiated (whence, in I,L., ignorant, unlearned), prophanitf = Bp. pfo 
also wicked, impious; appar. orig. 'before, or ' 
outside of, the temple,' <>r<>, before, + fanuni, 
temple: see /cine 2 .] 1. Not sacred, or not de- 
voted to sacred purposes; not possessing any 
peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; secular: as, 
a profane place: profane history (that is, his- 
tory other than Biblical) ; profane authors. 
In a certaine chappell not hallowed, or rather in a pro- 
I'liini,' cottage. Foxe, Martyrs, p. 430, an. 1391. 
Our holy lives must win a new world's crown. 
Which our profane hours here have stricken down. 
SAo*.,Rlch. n., v. 1. 25. 
There Is met In your majesty a rare conjunction, as well 
of divine and sacred literature as of profane and human. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, I. 5. 
The seven Profane Sciences begin at the right hand as 
you face the fresco, the seven Theological at the left 
The Century, XXXVII. 672. 
2. Irreverent toward God or holy things; speak- 
ing or spoken, acting or acted, in manifest or 
implied contempt of sacred things; blasphe- 
mous: as, profane language; profane swear- 
ing. 
Then was the Sacred Bible sought ont of the dusty cor- 
ners where prophane Falsehood and Neglect had thrownc 
It Milton, Reformation in Eng., I. 
I dln'd with y Trees', where was y Earle of Rochester, 
a very prophane wit Evelyn, Diary, Nov. 24, 1670. 
3. Not initiated into certain religious rites; 
hence, of less dignity or standing; inferior; 
common. 
Hence, ye profane, I hate yon all, 
Both the great vulgar and the small. 
Cixrlry, tr. of Horace's Odes, iii. 1. 
"Far hence be souls prophane," 
The Sibyl cryed, "and from the grove abstain." 
Dryden, Xneld, vl. 868. 
= Syn. 1. Temporal, unhallowed, unholy. 2. Impunu, 
Atheistic, etc. (see irreligious) ; Irreverent, sacrilegious. 
profane (pro-fan'), .; pret. and pp. /iriii'iinnl. 
ppr.pro/flHin//. [Formerly also proplianr; < F. 
profaner = 8p. Pg. profanar = It. profanare, < 
L. profanare, ML. also often proplianare, dese- 
crate, profane, also consecrate, < profantis, pro- 
fane: see profane, n.] I. trans. 1. To treat UN 
if not sacred or deserving reverence; violate, 
an anything sacred; treat with irreverent.-. 
impiety, or contempt; pollute; desecrate. 
They profaned my holy name. Eiek. xnvl. 20. 
= It. profanita, < LL. profanita(t-)s, profane- 
ness, < lj. profanus, profane : see profane.} 1. 
Profaneness; the quality of being profane. 2. 
That which is profane; profane language or 
conduct. 
In a revel of debauchery, amid the brisk Interchange of 
profanity and folly, religion might appear a dumb, unso- 
cial Intruder. Bvclrmimter. (Webfter, 1848.) 
= Syn. Blanpheniy, Profanity. See blafphenty. 
profectt, [< L. profectus, profit : see profit.} 
Profit. 
This shall (I truste) be consecrated to Apollo and the 
Muses, to theire no small profecte and your good contenta- 
tion and pleasure. 
Quoted In Babeet Boole (E. E. T. 8.), p. xxl. 
profectiont (pro-fek'shon), H. [< OF.profeetion, 
< L. profectio(n-), a setting forth, departure, 
< profieisci, pp. profectus, set forth, proceed, 
set out, depart, (pro, forth, forward, + facere, 
make, do.] A setting forth ; departure. 
The time of the yeere hasting the profcction and depar- 
ture of the Ambassador. UaHuyt'i I'oyayet, 1. 288. 
profectitious (pro-fek-tish'us), a. [< HL.pro- 
feeticiuK, profectitius, that proceeds from some 
one, < L. proficisei, pp. profectus, proceed : see 
projection.] Proceeding forth, as from a father: 
derived from an ancestor or ancestors. [Rare.] 
The threefold distinction of profcctitioiu, adventitious, 
and professional was ascertained. 
Gibbon, Decline and Fall, VIII. xllv. 
profecyet, A Middle English form of prophecy. 
profert, r. and H. An obsolete form of proffer. 
profert (pro'fert), n. [The first wordof the 
L. phrase profrrt in curia, he produces in court : 
profert, 3d pers. sing, otproferre, bring forward, 
produce: see proffer.} Infuir, an exhibition of 
s record or paper in open court . At common taw, 
a party who alleged a deed was generally obliged to make 
profert of such deed that is, toprtNluce It In court simul- 
taneously with the pleading In which It was alleged. Ac- 
i-iiiiiitiK to present usage this profert conslntnof a formal 
allegation that ho shows the deed in court. It being, in fact, 
retained In his own custody. 
profess (pni-frs'i. ''- [< ME. professen (first 
in pp. promMerf, after <!'. />/';/<-. professed). 
< OF. (and F. ) prtifrmtrr = Sp. projrsar = Pg. 
profeiutar = }t.pi'i'li-i<(ii>, < M I ,. professare, pro- 
fess, receive on profession, < L. priiffmtux. ]>p. 
of profiteri, decljin- publicly, acknowledge, 
