ˈprɔfɪt n. & v. --n. 1 an
advantage or
benefit. 2
financial gain;
excess of returns
over outlay. --v. (profited, profiting) 1 tr. (also absol.) be
beneficial to. 2 intr.
obtain an advantage or benefit (profited by
the experience). øat a profit
with financial gain. profit
and loss account an account in
which gains are credited and losses debited so as to
show the
net profit or loss at
any time. profit
margin the profit remaining in a
business after costs
have been deducted. profit-sharing the sharing of profits
esp.
between employer and employees. profit-taking the
sale of shares etc. at a time
when profit will
accrue. øøprofitless adj. [ME f. OF f. L profectus
progress, profit f. proficere profectadvance (as
PRO-(1), facere do)]