— profiter , n. — profitless , adj. — profitlessly , adv. — profitlessness , n.
/prof"it/ , n.
1. Often, profits .
a. pecuniary gain resulting from the employment of capital in any transaction. Cf. gross profit, net profit .
b. the ratio of such pecuniary gain to the amount of capital invested.
c. returns, proceeds, or revenue, as from property or investments.
2. the monetary surplus left to a producer or employer after deducting wages, rent, cost of raw materials, etc.: The company works on a small margin of profit.
3. advantage; benefit; gain.
v.i.
4. to gain an advantage or benefit: He profited greatly from his schooling.
5. to make a profit.
6. to take advantage: to profit from the weaknesses of others.
7. to be of service or benefit.
8. to make progress.
v.t.
9. to be of advantage or profit to: Nothing profits one so much as a sound education.
[ 1250-1300; (n.) ME profectus progress, profit, equiv. to pro- PRO- 1 + -fec-, comb. form of facere to make, DO 1 + -tus suffix of v. action; (v.) ME profiten, deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 1. return. 2. net income. 3. good, welfare, advancement, improvement. See advantage. 4, 9. advance, improve.
Ant. 1. loss.