profound

Etymology

From Middle English profound, from Anglo-Norman profound, from Old French profont, from Latin profundus, from pro + fundus (“bottom; foundation”).

adj

1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to great depth; deep.
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
   a profound investigation
   a profound scholar
   profound wisdom
   Where no motives of interest or pride intervene, none can equal them for profound and philosophical views of society, …. 1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, English Writers on America
4. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading
   Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt. 1860, Henry Hart Milman, History of Latin Christianity : including that of the popes to the pontificate of Nicholas V.
   It’s probably one of the reasons the Shamima Begum case is having such a profound impact; one-dimensional stereotypes about Muslim women already run so deep. 2019, Shelina Janmohamed, “Long before Shamima Begum, Muslim women were targets”, in Guardian
5. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive
   What humble gestures! What profound reverence! a. 1662, Brian Duppa, Holy Rules and Helps to Devotion, published 1683

noun

1. (obsolete) The deep; the sea; the ocean.
   God, in the fathomlesse profound / Hath all his choice Commanders drown'd. 1638, George Sandys, A Paraphrase vpon the Divine Poems, Exodvs 15
2. (obsolete) An abyss.

verb

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