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.
(b) (Civil Engin.) 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.
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.