prof|it

prof|it «PROF iht», noun, verb.

–n.

1. Often, profits. the gain from a business; what is left when the cost of goods and of carrying on the business is subtracted from the amount of money taken in: »

The profits in this business are not large.

SYNONYM(S): revenue, returns, proceeds.

2. the gain from any transaction: »

to make a profit from the sale of stock.

3. advantage; benefit; any gain resulting in mental or spiritual betterment: »

What profit is there in worrying?

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under advantage. (Cf. ↑advantage)

–v.i.

1. to make a gain from a business; make a profit: »

to profit handsomely from a good business deal.

2. to get advantage; gain; benefit: »

A wise person profits by his mistakes.

3. Obsolete. to make progress; advance.

–v.t.

to be an advantage or benefit to: »

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

╂[< Old French profit < Latin prōfectus, -ūs an advance < prōficere; see etym. under proficient (Cf. ↑proficient)]

–prof´it|er, noun.