Chapter 76

2. That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether naturally, or by the application of intelligence and labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius.

3. The act of lengthening out or prolonging.

Syn. -- Product; produce; fruit; work; performance; composition.

Pro*duc"tive (?), a. [F. productif, L. productivus fit for prolongation.]

1. Having the quality or power of producing; yielding or furnishing results; as, productive soil; productive enterprises; productive labor, that which increases the number or amount of products.

2. Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing; originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit productive of heroic achievements.

And kindle with thy own productive fire.

Dryden.

This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue, and making it productive of merit.

Spectator.

3. Producing, or able to produce, in large measure; fertile; profitable.

-- Pro*duc"tive*ly, adv. -- Pro*duc"tive*ness, n.

Pro`duc*tiv"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being productive; productiveness. Emerson.

Not indeed as the product, but as the producing power, the productivity.

Coleridge.

Pro*duc"tress (?), n. A female producer.

||Pro*duc"tus (?), n. [NL. See Product.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of ||brachiopods, very characteristic of the Carboniferous rocks.

Pro`e*gu"mi*nal (?), a. [Gr. &?;, p. pr. of &?; to lead the way: cf. F. proÈgumËne.] (Med.) Serving to predispose; predisposing; as, a proeguminal cause of disease.

Pro"em (?), n. [L. prooemium, Gr. &?;; &?; before + &?; way, course or strain of a song: cf. F. proËme.] Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.

Thus much may serve by way of proem.

Swift.

Pro"em, v. t. To preface. [Obs.] South.

Pro*em"bry*o (?), n. [Pref. pro- + embryo. ] (Bot.) (a) The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo. (b) The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The character of God profanely impeached.

Dr. T. Dwight.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Pro*fess" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.] [F. profËs, 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.

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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.

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.

Pro*fessed" (?), 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

2. A professorship.

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

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

Prof"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proffered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proffering.] [OE. profren, proferen, F. profÈrer, 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.

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.

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

{ 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Profile paper (Civil Engin.), paper ruled with vertical and horizontal lines forming small oblong rectangles, adapted for drawing profiles.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

That thy profiting may appear to all.

1 Tim. iv. 15.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

2. Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a profound scholar; profound wisdom.

3. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading; overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a profound sleep. "Profound sciatica." Shak.

Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt.

Milman.

4. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.

What humble gestures! What profound reverence!

Duppa.

Pro*found" (?), n. 1. The deep; the sea; the ocean.

God in the fathomless profound Hath all this choice commanders drowned.

Sandys.

2. An abyss. Milton.

Pro*found", v. t. To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Pro*found", v. i. To dive deeply; to penetrate. [Obs.]

Pro*found"ly, adv. In a profound manner.

Why sigh you so profoundly?

Shak.

Pro*found"ness, n. The quality or state of being profound; profundity; depth. Hooker.

Pro*ful"gent (?), a. [Pref. pro- + L. fulgere to shine.] Shining forth; brilliant; effulgent. [Obs.] "Profulgent in preciousness." Chaucer.

Pro*fun"di*ty (?), n.; pl. -ties (#). [L. profunditas: cf. F. profondite. See Profound.] The quality or state of being profound; depth of place, knowledge, feeling, etc. "The vast profundity obscure." Milton.

Pro*fuse" (?), a. [L. profusus, p. p. of profundere to pour forth or out; pro forward, forth + fundere to pour: cf. F. profus. See Fuse to melt.] 1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality.

A green, shady bank, profuse of flowers.

Milton.

2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament." Kames.

Syn. -- Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant. -- Profuse, Lavish, Prodigal. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. Dryden.

Pro*fuse" (?), v. t. To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander. [Obs.] Chapman.

Pro*fuse"ly (?), adv. In a profuse manner.

Pro*fuse"ness, n. Extravagance; profusion.

Hospitality sometimes degenerates into profuseness.

Atterbury.

Pro*fu"sion (?), n. [L. profusio: cf. F. profusion.]

1. The act of one who is profuse; a lavishing or pouring out without sting.

Thy vast profusion to the factious nobles?

Rowe.

2. Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a profusion of commodities. Addison.

Pro*fu"sive (?), a. Profuse; lavish; prodigal.[Obs.]

Prog (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Progged (&?;). p. pr. & vb. n. Progging.] [Cf. D. prachen, G. prachern, Dan. prakke, Sw. pracka, to beg, L. procare, procari, to ask, demand, and E. prowl.] 1. To wander about and beg; to seek food or other supplies by low arts; to seek for advantage by mean shift or tricks. [Low]

A perfect artist in progging for money.

Fuller.

I have been endeavoring to prog for you.

Burke.

2. To steal; to rob; to filch. [Low] Johnson.

3. To prick; to goad; to progue. [Scot.]

Prog, n. 1. Victuals got by begging, or vagrancy; victuals of any kind; food; supplies. [Slang] Swift.

So long as he picked from the filth his prog.

R. Browning.

2. A vagrant beggar; a tramp. [Slang]

3. A goal; progue. [Scot.]

Pro*gen"er*ate (?), v. t. [L. progeneratus, p. p. of progenerare to beget; pro forth, forward + generare to generate.] To beget; to generate; to produce; to procreate; as, to progenerate a race. [R.] Landor.

Pro*gen`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. progeneratio.] The act of begetting; propagation. [R.]

Pro*gen"i*tor (?), n. [OF. progeniteur, L. progenitor, fr. progignere, progenitum, to bring forth, to beget; pro forth + gignere to beget. See Gender kind.] An ancestor in the direct line; a forefather.

And reverence thee their great progenitor.

Milton.

Pro*gen"i*tor*ship, n. The state of being a progenitor.

Pro*gen"i*tress (?), n. A female progenitor.

Pro*gen"i*ture (?), n. [F. progÈniture.] A begetting, or birth. [R.]

Prog"e*ny (?), n. [OE. progenie, F. progÈnie, fr. L. progenies, fr. progignere. See Progenitor.] Descendants of the human kind, or offspring of other animals; children; offspring; race, lineage. " Issued from the progeny of kings." Shak.

Pro*glot"tid (?), n. (Zoˆl) Proglottis.

||Pro*glot"tis (?), n.; pl. Proglottides (#). [NL. fr. Gr. &?; the tip ||of the tongue; &?; forward + &?; the tongue.] (Zoˆl) One of the free, ||or nearly free, segments of a tapeworm. It contains both male and ||female reproductive organs, and is capable of a brief independent ||existence.

||Prog"na*thi (?), n. pl. [NL. See Prognathous.] (Zoˆl) A comprehensive ||group of mankind, including those that have prognathous jaws.

Prog*nath"ic, a. (Anat.) Prognathous.

Prog"na*thism (?), n. (Anat.) Projection of the jaws. -- Prog"na*thy (#), n.

Prog"na*thous (?), a. [Gr. &?; before + &?; the jaw] (Anat.) Having the jaws projecting beyond the upper part of the face; -- opposed to orthognathous. See Gnathic index, under Gnathic.

Their countenances had the true prognathous character.

Kane.

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Prog"ne (?), n. [L., a swallow, traditionally said to be fr. Progne (The sister of Philomela), who was changed into a swallow, Gr. &?;.] (Zoˆl.) (a) A swallow. (b) A genus of swallows including the purple martin. See Martin. (c) An American butterfly (Polygonia, or Vanessa, Progne). It is orange and black above, grayish beneath, with an L-shaped silver mark on the hind wings. Called also gray comma.

Prog*no"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to know beforehand; &?; before + &?; to know. See Know.] (Med.) The act or art of foretelling the course and termination of a disease; also, the outlook afforded by this act of judgment; as, the prognosis of hydrophobia is bad.

Prog*nos"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Prognosis.] Indicating something future by signs or symptoms; foreshowing; aiding in prognosis; as, the prognostic symptoms of a disease; prognostic signs.

Prog*nos"tic, n. [L. prognosticum, Gr. &?;: cf. F. pronostic, prognostic. See Prognostic, a.]

1. That which prognosticates; a sign by which a future event may be known or foretold; an indication; a sign or omen; hence, a foretelling; a prediction.

That choice would inevitably be considered by the country as a prognostic of the highest import.

Macaulay.

2. (Med.) A sign or symptom indicating the course and termination of a disease. Parr.

Syn. -- Sign; omen; presage; token; indication.

Prog*nos"tic, v. t. To prognosticate. [Obs.]

Prog*nos"tic*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being prognosticated or foretold. Sir T. Browne.