Profile

//ˈpɹoʊfaɪl// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The outermost shape, view, or edge of an object. countable

    "His fingers traced the profile of the handle."

  2. 2
    biographical sketch wordnet
  3. 3
    The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view. countable

    "The brooch showed the profile of a Victorian woman."

  4. 4
    an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics wordnet
  5. 5
    A summary or collection of information, especially about a person. countable

    "Law enforcement assembled a profile of the suspect."

Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers wordnet
  2. 7
    A specific page or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems. Internet, countable

    "I just updated my Facebook profile to show I got engaged."

  3. 8
    an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side) wordnet
  4. 9
    Reputation, prominence; noticeability. figuratively, uncountable

    "Acting is, by nature, profession in which one must keep a high profile."

  5. 10
    degree of exposure to public notice wordnet
  6. 11
    The amount by which something protrudes. uncountable

    "Choose a handle with a low profile so it does not catch on things."

  7. 12
    A smoothed (e.g., troweled or brushed) vertical surface of an excavation showing evidence of at least one feature or diagnostic specimen; the graphic recording of such as by sketching, photographing, etc. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    Character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses). countable, uncountable

    "What's the thermal profile on that thing?"

  9. 14
    A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of mouldings etc. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    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. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    An exemption from certain types of duties due to injury or disability. countable, slang, uncountable
  12. 17
    A user's preferences. countable

    "A roaming profile allows your settings to follow you from one computer to another across a network."

Verb
  1. 1
    To create a summary or collection of information about (a person, etc.). transitive

    "The book The Men with the Pink Triangles, profiling the lives of gay prisoners in the German concentration camp."

  2. 2
    represent in profile, by drawing or painting wordnet
  3. 3
    To act based on such a summary, especially one that is a stereotype; to engage in profiling.
  4. 4
    write about wordnet
  5. 5
    To draw in profile or outline. transitive
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To give a definite form by chiselling, milling, etc. transitive
  2. 7
    To measure the performance of various parts of (a program) so as to locate bottlenecks. transitive

    "[…] a complete and intuitive profiler that supports numerous types of profiling modes and profilable applications."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French profil, from Italian profilo (“a border”), later also proffilo (“a side-face, profile”), from Latin pro (“before”) + filo (“a line, stroke, thread”), from filum (“a thread”); see file. Doublet of purfle.

Etymology 2

From French profil, from Italian profilo (“a border”), later also proffilo (“a side-face, profile”), from Latin pro (“before”) + filo (“a line, stroke, thread”), from filum (“a thread”); see file. Doublet of purfle.

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