profound etymology

Etymology

The word "profound" comes from the Latin word "profundus," which means "deep" or "far-reaching." It is derived from the prefix "pro-" (meaning "forward" or "deep") and the root "-fundus" (meaning "bottom" or "base").

Meaning

Profound means:

  • Deeply felt or expressed
  • Difficult to understand or comprehend
  • Far-reaching or extensive
  • Of great significance or importance

Origin

The Latin word "profundus" was first used in the 1st century BCE by the Roman poet Virgil in his epic poem, the Aeneid. It was commonly used to describe the depths of the sea or the underworld.

Over time, the word "profound" came to be used more generally to refer to things that are deeply felt, difficult to understand, or of great significance. It is now a common word in English, used in a variety of contexts.

Examples of Usage

  • "The professor's lecture was profoundly insightful."
  • "The novel's ending was profound and moving."
  • "The musician's performance was a profound expression of emotion."
  • "The scientist made a profound discovery that changed the course of history."

profound relate terms

  • deep

    Etymology Deep derives from the Old English word dēop pronounced with a long e

  • fund

    Etymology The word fund comes from the Latin word fundus which means bottom or f

  • bottom

    Etymology Bottom derives from the Old English word botm which meant the lowest par

  • superficial

    Etymology Latin superficialis super above on top of ficies surface Mean

  • heavy

    Etymology Middle English hevy from Old English hefig heavy weighty Proto Germanic

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • recondite

    Etymology and Origin The word recondite derives from the Latin word reconditus mean

  • esoteric

    Etymology Esoteric comes from the Greek word esoterikos which means inner or secret

  • devotion

    Etymology The word devotion comes from the Latin word devotio which means dedicatio

  • cognitive

    Etymology The word cognitive is derived from the Latin word cognoscere which means

  • stock

    Etymology The word stock has several origins Old English stocc trunk of a tree

  • ginger

    Etymology Middle English gingivere gingyvere Old French gingembre Latin zingiber Sa