profile n.

1. A control file for a program, esp. a text file automatically read from each user's home directory and intended to be easily modified by the user in order to customize the program's behavior. Used to avoid hardcoded choices (see also dot file, rc file). 2. [techspeak] A report on the amounts of time spent in each routine of a program, used to find and tune away the hot spots in it. This sense is often verbed. Some profiling modes report units other than time (such as call counts) and/or report at granularities other than per-routine, but the idea is similar. 3.[techspeak] A subset of a standard used for a particular purpose. This sense confuses hackers who wander into the weird world of ISO standards to no end!

--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.

Pro"file (?), n. [It. profilo, fr. L. pro before + filum a thread, an outline, shape: cf. F. profil. See File arow, and cf. Purfle, Purl, a fringe.]

1.

An outline, or contour; as, the profile of an apple.

2. Paint & Sculp.

A human head represented sidewise, or in a side view; the side face or half face.

3. (a) Arch.

A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of moldings and the like.

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.

Profile paper Civil Engin., paper ruled with vertical and horizontal lines forming small oblong rectangles, adapted for drawing profiles.

© Webster 1913.

Pro"file, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Profiling] [Cf. F. profiler, It. profilare. See Profile, n.]

1.

to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an architectural member.

2. Mech.

To shape the outline of an object by passing a cutter around it.

Profiling machine, a jigging machine.

© Webster 1913.