■ noun
1》 a financial gain, especially the difference between an initial outlay and the subsequent amount earned.
2》 advantage; benefit.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~ed ) benefit, especially financially.
↘be beneficial to.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr., from L. profectus 'progress, ~', from proficere 'to advance', from pro- 'on behalf of' + facere 'do'.