profile

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A side view of an object or structure, especially of the human head.
2. n. A representation of an object or structure seen from the side. See Synonyms at form.
3. n. An outline of an object. See Synonyms at outline.
4. n. Degree of exposure to public notice; visibility: preferred to keep a low profile.
5. n. A biographical essay presenting the subject's most noteworthy characteristics and achievements.
6. n. A formal summary or analysis of data, often in the form of graph or table, representing distinctive features or characteristics: a psychological profile of a job applicant; a biochemical profile of blood.
7. n. Geology A vertical section of soil or rock showing the sequence of the various layers.
8. v. To draw or shape a profile of.
9. v. To produce a profile of.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An outline or contour; specifically, the largest contour or outline of anything, usually seen in or represented by a vertical longitudinal section or side view. For example, nearly all the fishes, butterflies, etc., figured in this dictionary are drawn in profile.
2. n. Hence The outline of the human face in a section through the median line: a side view; the side-face or half-face: as, a Greek profile.
3. n. A representation of the face in side view: as, profiles cut in black paper are called silhouettes.
4. n. In architecture, the outline or contour of anything, such as a building, a figure, a molding, as shown by a section through it.
5. n. In engineering and surveying, a vertical section through a work or a section of country, to show the elevations and depressions.
6. n. In fortification, a light wooden frame set up to guide workmen in throwing up a parapet.
7. n. The outline of a vertical section made through any part of a fortification in a direction perpendicular to its principal bounding lines.
8. n. In ceramics, a thin plate, as of zinc, in which is cut the outline of half of an object. The mass of clay being revolved on the potters' wheel and the profile applied to it, the exterior form is given. Synonyms Contour, etc. See outline.
9. To draw with a side view; outline (any object or objects) so as to show a section as if cut perpendicularly from top to bottom.
10. In mech., to impart by means of a tool or tools a definite prescribed form to (pieces of wood or metal) by chiseling, milling, tiling, or like operations.
11. Theat., to cut (the edge of wings or set pieces) into irregular shapes to represent trees, rocks, etc.
12. n. In theatrical, a wing having the outline of a tree. See profile, v. t., 3.

Wiktionary

1. n. countable the outermost shape, view, or edge of an object
2. n. countable The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view.
3. n. countable A summary or collection of information, especially about a person
4. n. countable a specific space or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems
5. n. uncountable reputation
6. n. uncountable the amount by which something protrudes
7. n. uncountable prominence; noticeability
8. n. archaeology A smoothed (e.g., troweled or brushed) vertical surface of an excavation showing evidence of at least one feature or diagnostic specimen; the graphic recording of such as by sketching, photographing, etc.
9. n. character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses)
10. v. to create a summary or collection of information, especially about a person
11. v. to act based on such a summary; especially, to act on a stereotype. See profiling.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. An outline, or contour.
2. n. (Paint & Sculp.) A human head represented sidewise, or in a side view; the side face or half face.
3. n. (Arch.) A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of moldings and the like.
4. n. (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.
5. v. to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an architectural member.
6. v. (Mech.) To shape the outline of an object by passing a cutter around it.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)
2. n. degree of exposure to public notice
3. n. a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers
4. n. biographical sketch
5. n. an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
6. v. represent in profile, by drawing or painting
7. v. write about