Definition of profound

The word "profound" originated from the Latin adjective "profundus," which translates to "deep" or "deeply concentrated." This Latin word, in turn, derived from the Latin verb "profundare," which means "to sink," "to deepen," or "to immerse." The associated noun "profunditas" or "profundity" referred to "depth" or "greater knowledge." In medieval times, the Old French verb "prover" and its related adjective "profre" were used to describe someone whose mental capacity was "deep" or "of great knowledge." The word's eventual morph into "profound" came via Middle English, where it was pronounced as "profounde." The word "profound" was used primarily to describe knowledge, understanding, or interpretation, related to science, philosophy, or theology. Today, the term "profound" transcends its original constraints and can be used to refer to different situations, such as emotions, feelings, events, or objects, where the quality it describes refers to any kind of depth or intensity that goes beyond initial perception. In summary, the word "profound" has evolved from its Latin roots, via Old French, in Middle English, to its current usage, which has emerged as a more general term, still retaining associations with intellectual, emotional, or sensory depth.