profanity
noun /prəˈfænəti/
/prəˈfænəti/, /prəʊˈfænəti/
(plural profanities)
(formal)- [uncountable] behaviour that shows a lack of respect for God or holy things
- [countable, usually plural] swear words, or religious words used in a way that shows a lack of respect for God or holy things
- He uttered a stream of profanities.
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from late Latin profanitas, from Latin profanus ‘not sacred’, from pro- (from Latin pro ‘before’) + fanum ‘temple’.