profound

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.5 Verb 1.6 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Anglo-Norman profound, French profond, Latin profundus; pro before, forward + fundus the bottom. See found to establish, bottom lowest part.

[edit] Pronunciation

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[edit] Adjective

profound (comparative more profound, superlative most profound)

1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a great depth; deep.

   • A gulf profound. John Milton.

2. Very deep; very serious
3. Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a profound scholar; profound wisdom.
4. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading; overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a profound sleep.

   • Profound sciatica. Shakespeare
   • Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt. Milman.

5. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.

   • What humble gestures! What profound reverence! Dupp.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

profound (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) The deep; the sea; the ocean.

   • God in the fathomless profound Hath all this choice commanders drowned. Sandys.

2. (obsolete) An abyss.

[edit] Verb

to profound (third-person singular simple present profounds, present participle profounding, simple past and past participle profounded)

1. (obsolete) To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down.
2. (obsolete) To dive deeply; to penetrate.

[edit] Related terms

• profundity
• profoundness