n. [ F., fr. L. profectus advance, progress, profit, fr. profectum. See Proficient. ] 1. Acquisition beyond expenditure; excess of value received for producing, keeping, or selling, over cost; hence, pecuniary gain in any transaction or occupation; emolument; as, a profit on the sale of goods. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let no man anticipate uncertain profits. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences; benefit; avail; gain; as, an office of profit, [ 1913 Webster ]

This I speak for your own profit. 1 Cor. vii. 35. [ 1913 Webster ]

If you dare do yourself a profit and a right. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Benefit; avail; service; improvement; advancement; gain; emolument. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to gain; to advance. [ 1913 Webster ]

I profit not by thy talk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be of use or advantage; to do or bring good. [ 1913 Webster ]

Riches profit not in the day of wrath. Prov. xi. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Profited; p. pr. & vb. n. Profiting. ] [ F. profiter. See Profit, n. ] To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit; to advantage; to avail; to aid; as, truth profits all men. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word preached did not profit them. Heb. iv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a great means of profiting yourself, to copy diligently excellent pieces and beautiful designs. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. profitable. ] Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession. [ 1913 Webster ]

What was so profitable to the empire became fatal to the
emperor. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Prof"it*a*ble*ness, n. -- Prof"it*a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make an excessive profit, as on the sale of difficult to obtain goods; to act as a profiteer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who makes an excessive and unconscionable profit by exploiting scarcity or a monopoly position. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Gain; advantage; profit. [ 1913 Webster ]

That thy profiting may appear to all. 1 Tim. iv. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without profit; unprofitable. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]