pro-, por-, pur-

(Greek > Latin: a prefix signifying before; forward, forth; for, in favor of; in front of; in place of, on behalf of; according to; as, to place before; to go before or forward, to throw forward)

proem
1. A short introduction or preface.
2. An introduction to a literary work or a speech.
3. Etymology: from Greek pro-, "before" plus oime, "song".
proenzyme (s) (noun), proenzymes (pl)
The inactive form of an enzyme: A proenzyme, also termed zymogen, is found within a cell, which, upon leaving the cell, is converted into the active form, such as pepsinogen, which is converted to pepsin:
profanate
To profane; that is, showing disrespect for God, any deity, or religion.
profanation
1. The act of profaning; desecration; defilement; debasement.
2. Degradation of something worthy of respect; cheapening.
3. Blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character.
profanatory
1. Profaning or tending to desecrate.
2. To treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or outrageously.
profane
1. Characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.
2. Not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular, as opposed to sacred.
3. Unholy; heathen; pagan; such as, profane rites; marked by contempt or irreverence for what is sacred.
4. Not initiated into religious rites or mysteries; such as, people.
5. Common or vulgar.
6. Etymology: from Latin profanus, "unholy, not sacred"; literally, "that which is situated before (that is, outside of) the temple"; from pro-, "in front of" and fanum, "temple".
profaned
Treated irreverently or sacrilegiously.
profanely
1. In an irreverent or profane manner.
2. With curses: "He was muttering profanely about the way he was treated."
3. In an irreverent or profane manner: "They kept wondering profanely why everything bad happened to them during their trip."
profaneness
1. Unholiness by virtue of being profane.
2. An attitude of irreverence or contempt for a divinity.
profaner
1. Someone who profanes; that is, anyone who is irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or language.
2. A person who desecrates or defiles that which is held as sacred or moral.
profanes
1. Anyone or anything which violates the sacred character of a place or language: "He constantly profanes the name of God."
2. A person who corrupts morally or by intemperance or sensuality.
profaning
1. Treating with irreverence; such as, using God's name as a form of cursing.
2. Putting someone, or something, in an improper, unworthy, or degrading use; abusing.
profanities
Those things which relate to using profane language, desecration, or disrespect toward an object of religious veneration.

They can be words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors which are socially considered or interpreted as insulting, rude, or vulgar.

profanity
1. The condition or quality of being profane; vulgar or irreverent speech or actions.
2. Abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language; such as, the use of such language.
profess (verb), professes; professed; professing
1. To declare openly, announce, affirm; to avow, acknowledge, confess oneself to be (or do) something.
2. To affirm or declare one’s faith in or allegiance to; to acknowledge or formally recognize as an object of faith or belief (a religion, principle, rule of action; God, Christ, a saint, etc.).

Related before-word units: ante-; antero-; anti-; pre-.