“Profundity” was originally used to denote the vastness and depth of the ocean before the noun’s meaning shifted to “depth of intellect, feeling, or spiritual mystery” in the 15th century. It developed from the Old French word “profundite” as well as the Latin words “profunditatem” (“depth, intensity, immensity”) and “profundus” (“deep, vast”). This is a great word to use when feeling overwhelmed or awed by something; for instance, you may experience a state of profundity when trying to comprehend the endlessness of the universe.