Chapter 1215

Pro*e"mi*al (?) , a. Introductory; prefatory; preliminary. [R.]

Hammond.

Proemptosis <Xpage=1143>

Pro`emp*to"sis (?) , n. [NL., from Gr. <?/ to fall in before; <?/ before + <?/ in + <?/ to fall.] (Chron.) The addition of a day to the lunar calendar. [R.] See Metemptosis .

Proface <Xpage=1143>

Pro"face (?) , interj. [OF. prou face , prou fasse ; prou profit + faire to make, do.] Much good may it do you! -- a familiar salutation or welcome. [Obs.]

Master page, good master page, sit. Proface ! Shak.

Profanate <Xpage=1143>

Prof"a*nate (?) , v. t. To profane. [Obs.]

Profanation <Xpage=1143>

Prof`a*na"tion (?) , n. [L. profanatio : cf. F. profanation . See Profane , v. t. ]

1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God.

2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with undue publicity, or lack of delicacy.

'T were profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love. Donne.

Profane <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fane" (?) , a. [F., fr. L. profanus , properly, before the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before + fanum temple. See 1st Fane .]

1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity; unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred , religious , or inspired ; as, a profane place . " Profane authors."

I. Disraeli.

The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine. Gibbon.

2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.

Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things. Sir W. Raleigh.

3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a profane person, word, oath, or tongue . 1 Tim. i. 9.

Syn. -- Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed; unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked; godless; impious. See Impious .

Profane <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fane" , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Profaned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Profaning .] [L. profanare : cf. F. profaner . See Profane , a. ]

1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse, irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.

The priests in the temple profane the sabbath. Matt. xii. 5.

2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.

So idly to profane the precious time. Shak.

Profanely <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fane"ly , adv. In a profane manner.

The character of God profanely impeached. Dr. T. Dwight.

Profaneness <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fane"ness , n. The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of profane language.

Profaner <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fan"er (?) , n. One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles what is holy; one who uses profane language.

Hooker.

Profanity <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fan"i*ty (?) , n. [L. profanitas .]

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

2. That which is profane; profane language or acts.

The brisk interchange of profanity and folly. Buckminster.

Profection <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fec"tion (?) , n. [See Proficient .] A setting out; a going forward; advance; progression. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Profectitious <Xpage=1143>

Pro`fec*ti"tious (?) , a. [L. profectitius , fr. proficisci to set out, proceed.] Proceeding from, as from a parent; derived, as from an ancestor. [R.]

The threefold distinction of profectitious , adventitious, and professional was ascertained. Gibbon.

Profert <Xpage=1143>

Pro"fert (?) , n. [L., he brings forward, 3d pers. pr. of proferre . See Proffer . ] (Law) The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open court, or an allegation that it is in court.

Profess <Xpage=1143>

Pro*fess" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Professed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Professing .] [F. prof\'8as , masc., professe , fem., professed (monk or nun), L. professus , p. p. of profiteri to profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See Confess .]

1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely. "Hear me profess sincerely."

Shak.

The best and wisest of them all professed To know this only, that he nothing knew. Milton.

<page="1144"> Page 1144

2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of.

I do profess to be no less than I seem. Shak.

3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.

Profess <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fess" (?) , v. i. 1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to confess.

Drayton.

2. To declare friendship. [Obs.]

Shak.

Provessel <Xpage=1144>

Pro*vessel" (?) , a. Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian.

The professed (R. C. Ch.) , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit .

Professedly <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fess"ed*ly (?) , adv. By profession.

Profession <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion (?) , n. [F., fr. L. professio . See Profess , v. ] 1. The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.

A solemn vow, promise, and profession . Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere .

The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the contradiction between professions and conduct. J. Morse.

3. That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry.

Hi tried five or six professions in turn. Macaulay.

&hand; The three professions , or learned professions , are, especially, theology, law, and medicine.

4. The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him .

5. (Eccl. Law.) The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.

Professional <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion*al (?) , a. 1. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming to the rules or standards of a profession; following a profession; as, professional knowledge; professional conduct. "Pride, not personal, but professional ." Macaulay . "A professional sneerer." De Quincey .

2. Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race ; -- opposed to amateur .

Professional <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion*al , n. A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a professional worker.

Professionalism <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion*al*ism (?) , n. The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation; -- opposed to amateurism .

Professionalist <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion*al*ist , n. professional person. [R.]

Professionally <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"sion*al*ly , adv. In a professional manner or capacity; by profession or calling; in the exercise of one's profession; one employed professionally .

Professor <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fess"or (?) , n. [L., a teacher, a public teacher: cf. F. professeur . See Profess .] 1. One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church. " Professors of religion."

Bacon.

2. One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or branch of learning; especially, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business it is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany, of mathematics, or of political economy.

Professorial <Xpage=1144>

Pro`fes*so"ri*al (?) , a. [L. professorius : cf. F. professorial .] Of or pertaining to a professor; as, the professional chair; professional interest.

Professorialism <Xpage=1144>

Pro`fes*so"ri*al*ism (?) , n. The character, manners, or habits of a professor. [R.]

Professoriat <Xpage=1144>

Pro`fes*so"ri*at (?) , n. See Professoriate .

Professoriate <Xpage=1144>

Pro`fes*so"ri*ate (?) , n. 1. The body of professors, or the professorial staff, in a university or college.

2. A professorship.

Professorship <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fess"or*ship (?) , n. The office or position of a professor, or public teacher.

Walton.

Professory <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fes"so*ry (?) , a. [L. professorius .] Of or pertaining to a professor; professorial. [R.]

Bacon.

Proffer <Xpage=1144>

Prof"fer (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Proffered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Proffering .] [OE. profren , proferen , F. prof\'82rer , fr. L. proferre to bring forth or forward, to offer; pro forward + ferre to bring. See Bear to produce.] 1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship.

Shak.

I reck not what wrong that thou me profre . Chaucer.

2. To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake. [R.]

Milton.

Proffer <Xpage=1144>

Prof"fer , n. 1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship .

He made a proffer to lay down his commission. Clarendon.

2. Essay; attempt. [R.]

Bacon.

Profferer <Xpage=1144>

Prof"fer*er (?) , n. One who proffers something.

Proficience, Proficiency <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fi"cience (?) , Pro*fi"cien*cy (?) , n. The quality of state of being proficient; advance in the acquisition of any art, science, or knowledge; progression in knowledge; improvement; adeptness; as, to acquire proficiency in music .

Proficient <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fi"cient (?) , n. [L. proficiens , -entis , p. pr. of proficere to go forward, make progress; pro forward + facere to make. See Fact , and cf. Profit , (<?/)] One who has made considerable advances in any business, art, science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as, proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music, etc.

Proficient <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fi"cient (?) , a. Well advanced in any branch of knowledge or skill; possessed of considerable acquirements; well-skilled; versed; adept,

Proficiently <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fi"cient*ly , adv. In a proficient manner.

Proficuous <Xpage=1144>

Pro*fic"u*ous (?) , a. [L. proficuus .] Profitable; advantageous; useful. [Obs.]

Harvey.

Profile <Xpage=1144>

Pro"file (?) , n. [It. profilo , fr. L. pro before + filum a thread, an outline, shape: cf. F. profil . See File arow, and cf. Purfle , Purl , a fringe.] 1. An outline, or contour; as, the profile of an apple .

2. (Paint & Sculp.) A human head represented sidewise, or in a side view; the side face or half face.

3. (a) (Arch.) A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of moldings and the like. (b) (Civil Engin.) A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc.

<-- 4. a short biography. 5. [NW10] a set of data, often in graphical form, describing some significant features of something (e.g. a person, corporation); esp. a graph showing the results of tests ot some attribute of a person. 6. public notice, used esp. in the phrase "(keep/maintain) a low profile", i.e. avoid public notice, avoid publicity. -->

Profile paper (Civil Engin.) , paper ruled with vertical and horizontal lines forming small oblong rectangles, adapted for drawing profiles. <-- = graph paper? -->

Profile <Xpage=1144>

Pro"file , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Profiled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Profiling ] [Cf. F. profiler , It. profilare . See Profile , n. ] 1. to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an architectural member.

2. (Mech.) To shape the outline of an object by passing a cutter around it.

Profiling machine , a jigging machine.

Profiling <Xpage=1144>

Pro"fil*ing , n. (Fort.) In the construction of fieldworks, the erection at proper intervals of wooden profiles, to show to the workmen the sectional form of the parapets at those points.

Profilist <Xpage=1144>

Pro"fil*ist , n. One who takes profiles.

Profit <Xpage=1144>

Pro"fit (?) , 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 .

Let no man anticipate uncertain profits . Rambler.

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

This I speak for your own profit . 1 Cor. vii. 35.

If you dare do yourself a profit and a right. Shak.

Syn. -- Benefit; avail; service; improvement; advancement; gain; emolument.

Profit <Xpage=1144>

Prof"it , 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 .

The word preached did not profit them . Heb. iv. 2.

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

Profit <Xpage=1144>

Prof"it , v. i. 1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to gain; to advance.

I profit not by thy talk. Shak.

2. To be of use or advantage; to do or bring good.

Riches profit not in the day of wrath. Prov. xi. 4.

Profitable <Xpage=1144>

Prof"it*a*ble (?) , 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.

What was so profitable to the empire became fatal to the emperor. Arbuthnot.

-- Prof"it*a*ble*ness , n. -- Prof"it*a*bly , adv.

Profiting <Xpage=1144>

Prof"it*ing , n. Gain; advantage; profit.

That thy profiting may appear to all. 1 Tim. iv. 15.

Profitless <Xpage=1144>

Prof"it*less , a. Without profit; unprofitable.

Shak.

Profligacy <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*ga*cy (?) , n. [See Profligate , a. ] The quality of state of being profligate; a profligate or very vicious course of life; a state of being abandoned in moral principle and in vice; dissoluteness.

Profligate <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*gate (?) , a. [L. profligatus , p. p. of profligare to strike or dash to the ground, to destroy; pro before + a word akin to fligere to strike. See Afflict .]

1. Overthrown; beaten; conquered. [Obs.]

The foe is profligate , and run. Hudibras.

2. Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch .

A race more profligate than we. Roscommon.

Made prostitute and profligate muse. Dryden.

Syn. -- Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved; vicious; wicked. See Abandoned .

Profligate <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*gate , n. An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person. "Such a profligate as Antony."

Swift.

Profligate <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*gate (?) , v. t. To drive away; to overcome. [A Latinism] [Obs.]

Harvey.

Profligately <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*gate*ly (?) , adv. In a profligate manner.

Profligateness <Xpage=1144>

Prof"li*gate*ness , n. The quality of being profligate; an abandoned course of life; profligacy.

Profligation <Xpage=1144>

Prof`li*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. profligatio .] Defeat; rout; overthrow. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Profluence <Xpage=1144>

Prof"lu*ence (?) , n. [L. profluentia .] Quality of being profluent; course. [R.]

Sir H. Wotton.

Profluent <Xpage=1144>

Prof"lu*ent (?) , a. [L. profluens , p. pr. of profluere ; pro forward + fluere to flow.] Flowing forward, [R.] "In the profluent stream."

Milton.

Profound <Xpage=1144>

Pro*found" , a. [F. profond , L. profundus ; pro before, forward + fundus the bottom. See Found to establish, Bottom lowest part.] 1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a great depth; deep. "A gulf profound ."

Milton.