profound
adjective
- rich in meaning, philosophically deep
- extensive
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /pɹəˈfaʊnd/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English profound, profounde, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, profonde, from Latin profundus (“deep, profound”), from prō + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).
- Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to great depth; deep.
“A gulf profound as that Serbonian bog”
- Very deep; very serious.
- Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough.
“a profound investigation”
“a profound scholar”
- Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading.
“How now! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica?”
“Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt.”
- Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive.
“And with this, and a profound bow to his patrons, the Manager retires, and the curtain rises.”
“What humble gestures! What profound reverence!”
noun
Etymology: From Middle English profound, profounde, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, profonde, from Latin profundus (“deep, profound”), from prō + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).
- The deep; the sea; the ocean.
“God, in the fathomlesse profound / Hath all his choice Commanders drown'd.”
- An abyss.
“[…]if some other place, / From your dominion won, th' Ethereal King / Possesses lately, thither to arrive / travel this profound. Direct my course[…]”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English profound, profounde, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, profonde, from Latin profundus (“deep, profound”), from prō + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).
- To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down.
- To dive deeply; to penetrate.
“But no man is likely to profound tbe Ocean of that Doctrine”