Profit

n. [Fr. profit, Pr. profieg, O. Pg. profeito, It. profitto, Sp. provecho, from Lat. profectus, advance, progress, profit, from proficere, profectum. See PROFICIENT.]

1Sense 1. Acquisition beyond expenditure; excess of value received for keeping or selling, over cost; hence, in commerce, pecuniary gain in any transaction or occupation; emolument.

Let no man anticipate uncertain profits. Rambler.

2Sense 2. Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences; benefit; avail; as, an office of profit or honor. “If you dare do yourself a profit and a right.” Shak.

Synonyms—Benefit; avail; service; improvement; advancement; gain; emolument.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PROFITED; p. pr. & vb. n. PROFITING.] [Fr. profiter, Pr. profitar, profeitar, profechar, O. Sp. provechar, It. profittare.] To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit; to advantage.

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

v. i. 1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to gain; to advance.

I profit not by thy talk. Shak.

She has profited so well already by your counsel, that she can say her lesson. Dryden.

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

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