profanity

n. crudeness, vulgarity; obscenity; desecration of the holy; abomination, shameful act

Profanity is “the quality or state of being profane” (see Sacred-profane dichotomy). It can also relate to using profane language, or desecration or disrespect toward an object of religious veneration. It can be a word, expression, gesture, or other social behavior which is socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, or vulgar.
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Noun
1. vulgar or irreverent speech or action
(hypernym) utterance, vocalization
(hyponym) blasphemy

(n.)
The quality or state of being profane; profaneness; irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.
  

(n.)
That which is profane; profane language or acts.
  

PROFANE - That which has not been consecrated. By a profane place is understood one which is neither sacred, nor sanctified, nor religious.

PROFANELY - In a profane manner. In an indictment, under the act of assembly of PennsylPROFANELYvania, against profanity, it is requisite that the words should be laid to have been spoken profanely.

PROFANENESS OR PROFANITY - A disrespect to the name of God, or his divine providence. This is variously punished by statute in the several states.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.