professor 
" At he wu a pn\(rxmr, he would drive a nail for no roan 
on the Sabbath, or kirk-fast, unless It were In a case of ab- 
solute necessity, for which be always charged sixpence 
each shoe." . . . The hearer . . . wondered what college 
this veterinary professor belonged to not aware that the 
word was used to denote any parson who pretended to 
uncommon sanctity of faith and manner. 
Scott, Waverley, xxx. 
I'm a pro/euor, and I ain't ashamed of It, week-days nor 
Sundays neither. 5. 0. Jevett, Oeephaven, p. 197. 
3. A public teacher iu a university, especial- 
ly one to whom this title has been formally 
granted. The title, now the highest that a teacher can 
receive, appears to have originated In the Italian universi- 
ties. In Oxford and Cambridge, the professors, and the 
instruction which they convey by lectures, are only auxil- 
iary instead of principal agents, the routine work of in- 
struction being carried on by the tutors connected with 
the several colleges. In the universities of Scotland and 
(! ermany, on the other hand, the professors are at once the 
governing body and principal functionaries for the pur- 
poses of education. In American universities there Is 
generally a professor at the head of each department of 
instruction, having often other professors and assistant 
professors under him. The title is often given, also, to 
teachers of special branches in secondary schools, and lo- 
cally to principals of common schools (a use derived from 
the French). 
At the present moment we want a Professor ol Later Ec- 
clesiastical History, to take up the subject at the point at 
which the department assigned to the Regius Professor 
comes to an end. Stuutm, Medieval and Modern Hist, p. 43. 
4. Iu a loose use, any one who publicly teaches 
or exercises an art or occupation for pay, as a 
dancing-master, phrenologist, balloonist, jug- 
gler, acrobat, boxer, etc. 
There be mimic prof coon of the science of defence, and 
very skilful men In teaching the best and most offensive 
and defensive use of verie many weapons. 
The Third University of England , quoted in Strutt's Sports 
land Pastimes, p. 355. 
Ordinary professor, in German and some other Euro- 
pean universities, an instmctorof the highest grade, above 
an extraordinary professor. Professor emeritus. See 
emeritus. Professor extraordinary. See extraordi- 
nary, a., 3. Regius professor. See reyius. 
professorate (pro-fes'or-at), . [= D.profes- 
sorant = G. Sw. Dan. profcssorat = F.profes- 
xorat = Sp. profesorado = Pg. professorudo, < 
ML. 'professoratus, < L. professor, a professor: 
see professor.'] 1. The office or state of a pro- 
fessor or public teacher. 2. The period of time 
during which a professor occupies his office. 
The sainted Bishop of Nola, who had been a favorite 
pupil of the poet during the professorate of the latter at 
Bordeaux. The Atlantic, LXV. 157. 
3. A body of professors ; the teaching staff of 
professors in a college or a university. 
A complex organization for the higher education, with 
a regular professorate. Encyc. Brit, XI. 04. 
professoress (pro-fes'or-es), n. [< professor + 
-ess.'] A woman who is a professor. [Rare.] 
If I had children to educate, I would at ten or twelve 
years of age have a professor, or pro/f wires*, of whist for 
them. 
TluwJceray, Roundabout Papers, A u tour de mou Chapeau. 
professorial (pro-fe-so'ri-al), n. [= F. profes- 
sorial = It. professoriate, ( L. professorius, per- 
taining to a public teacher, < professor, a public 
teacher: see professor.] Of or pertaining to a 
professor: as, a professorial chair. 
I ... will claim It as a professorial right to be allowed 
to ntter truisms. Stubbt, Medieval and Modern Hist, p. 72. 
Professorial socialist, socialism, etc. Same as .;/. 
i*t,i>riali*tn,al<:.,ofthechair See socialist , socialism, etc. 
prpfessorialism (pro-fe-so'ri-al-izm), i. [< pro- 
fessorial + -ism.] The character or prevailing 
mode of thinking or acting of university or col- 
lege professors. [Kare.] 
professorially (pro-fe-so'ri-al-i), adr. In the 
manner of a professor; as befits a professor. 
professoriate (pro-fe-so'ri-at), n. An improper 
form of professorate. 
The University (Oxford) will have to supply a large part 
of the teaching power, now provided by the colleges, In 
the shape of an increased professoriate or suit-professoriate. 
fituMu, Medieval and Modern Hist., p. 43. 
professorship ( pro-f es'or-ship), w. [< professor 
+ -ship.] The state of office of a professor or 
public teacher, as of a college. 
professory (prp-fes'o-ri), a. [= Pg. professorio, 
< L. professorius, pertaining to a public teacher, 
(.professor, a public teacher: see professor.] 
Of or pertaining to professors; professorial. 
This dedicating of foundations and donations toprn/et- 
mry learning hath . . . had a malign aspect. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, It 110. 
profet't, w. and r. A Middle English form of 
pro lit. 
profet'-'t, n. A Middle English form of prophet 
proffer (|>rof 'er), r. [< ME. proferen, profren, < 
OF. proferer, F. profi-n-r = Sp. Pg. proferir = 
It. proffrrire, prnfrrii-i: briiiK forward, proilin-c, 
allege, < U /ii-iili-m; brine forth, < jirn, forth, + 
1768 
ferre, bring, = E. brarl. Cf. prolate.] I. /;.. 
If. To bring or put forward; hold forth. 
The nan me In the pith of the honde, and profreth forth the 
lyngrrs 
To mynystre and to make. Piers Plowman (i 'X xx. 110. 
2. To hold forth so that a person may take : 
offer for acceptance: as, to proffer a gift; to 
proffer services ; to proffer friendship. 
Thaiine come oon & stood ful stille, 
And his seruice profride he. 
Hymns to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 69. 
Ye hous of Zachel, in the whiche our Sauyoure proferde 
hymself to be lodged. Sir R. (iuylfunle, Pylgrymage, p. 41. 
He proffers his defence, In tones subdued. 
Browning, Ring and book, I. 36. 
= 8yn. 2. To tender, volunteer, propose. 
n. intratis. To dodge. Halliwell. [Prov.Eng.] 
proffer (profer), n. [< ME. profer, profur; < 
proffer, v.] 1. An offer made; something pro- 
posed for acceptance by another : as, proffers of 
peace or friendship. 
And yef the kynges profer myght not agre the lady, and 
also hir frendes, thel hadde sat condite to returne to Tin- 
tageL Merlin (E. E. T. 8.), L82. 
She to Paris made 
Profer of royal power, ample rule. 
Tennyson, (Enone. 
2. In late, an offer or endeavor to proceed in an 
action. 3f. An essay; an attempt. 
It is done with time, and by little and little, and with 
many essays and proffers. Bacon. 
Y'are but a bad Fencer, for you never make a profer 
against another mans weaknesse. 
Milton, On Def. of numb. Remonst 
4. A rabbit-burrow. Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.] 
The conies in making profmand holes to breed In have 
scraped them out of the ground in verle great abundance. 
IIMnxhcd, Descrip. of England, ii. 24. 
= 8yn. 1. Tender, proposal. 
profferer (prof 'er-er), . One who proffers ; one 
who offers anything for acceptance. 
Since maids, In modesty, say no to that 
Which they would have the prof erer construe ay. 
Shall., T. tJ. of V., L 2. 56. 
proffett, A Middle English form of profit. 
proficiatt (pro-fish'i-at), ii. [< OF. proficiat, a 
fee or benevolence (see def.), also congratula- 
tion, < ML. proficium, for proficmtm, fee, emolu- 
ment, profit, neut. of proficuus, profitable, < L. 
profierrc, profit : see profit.'] A fee or benevo- 
lence bestowed on bishops, in the manner of a 
welcome, immediately after their instalment. 
Cotgrace. 
(He) would have caused him to be burnt alive, had It not 
been for Morgantc, who for his proficiat anil other small 
fees gave him nine tuns of beer. 
Urquhart, tr. of Rabelais, II. SO. (Danes.) 
proficience (pro -fish 'ens), . [= Pg. profi- 
ciencia; as proficien(t) + -ce.] Same s&profi- 
ciency. 
Let me endeavour an endless progress, or proficience In 
both. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, I. IS. 
One Peckltt, at York, began the same business, and has 
made good prnficience. 
Walpole, Anecdotes of Painting, II. 1. 
proficiency (pro-fish'en-si), . [As proficience 
(see -ey).] If. Advancement; progress. 
Though the Scriptures are read every day in our churches, 
. . . yet we make but slow proficiency towards a true taste, 
and a clear discernment, of those high truths which are 
contained In them. Dp. Attertmry, Sermons, II. II. 
2. The state of being proficient; the degree of 
advancement attained in any branch of know- 
ledge ; advance iu the acquisition of any art, sci- 
ence, or knowledge ; improvement : as, to attain 
great proficiency in Greek or in music. 
Persons of riper years who flocked Into the church dur- 
ing the three first centuries were obliged to pass through 
Instructions, and give account of their proficiency. 
Addisoii. 
All training Ii founded on the principle that culture must 
precede proficiency. II. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 205. 
= 8rn. 2. Ailraitft. etc. (see pmjrern), skill, 
proficient (pro-fish'ent), a. and n. [= OF. pro- 
ficient = Sp. Pg. It. proficiente,< li.proficieii( !-). 
ppr. of proficere, go forward, advance, make 
progress, succeed, be profitable or useful, < pro, 
forth, forward, +/nocrc,make, do: see fact. Cf. 
profit.] I. a. Well versed in any business, nrt, 
science, or branch of learning; skilled; quali- 
fied; competent: as, a proficient architect. 
Proficient In all craft and stealthlneas. 
Bromung, Ring and Book, 1. 132. 
II. n. One who has made considerable ad- 
vance in any business, art, science, or branch 
of learning; an adept; an expert: as, a pro- 
fn-init in a trade or occupation. 
I am so good a proficient In one quarter of an hour that 
I can drink with any tinker In Ills own language. 
Shot., 1 Hen. IV.. II. 4. 19. 
profiling-machine 
We are such considerable proficient* in politics that we 
ran form rebellions within rebellions. 
Walpole, Letters, II. e. 
proficiently (pro-fish'ent-li), tult. [< profn i' n i 
+ -ly' 2 .] In a proficient manner ; with profi- 
ciency. 
proficuous (pro-fik'u-us), a. [= Sp. proficuo = 
Pg. It. proficuo, < LL. jn-oficuns, advantageous, 
beneficial, < L. proficere, advance, go forward : 
see proficient.'] Profitable; advantageous; use- 
ful. [Rare.] 
It Is very pnfinunu to take a good large dose. Honey. 
proflcyt, r. A Middle English form of prophesy. 
profile (pro'fel or -fil), . [Formerly alsopro- 
fil (= D. profit, profiel = G. Sw. Dan. profit), 
< F. profil, a profile, < It.profilo, a border, later 
alsopro^to, a side-face, profile, (.pro-. < L. pro, 
before, +filo, a line, stroke, thread, < L.JUtt*, 
a thread: see file*. Cf. purfie, from the same 
L. source.] 1. An outline or contour; specifi- 
cally, the largest contour or outline of anything, 
usually seen in or represented by a vertical lon- 
gitudinal section or side view. For example, 
nearly all the fishes, butterflies, etc., figured in 
this dictionary are drawn in profile. Hence 
2. (a) The outline of the human face in a sec- 
tion through the median line; a side view; the 
side-face or half-face : as, a Greek profile. 
Till about the end of the third century, when there was 
a general decay in all the arts of designing, I do not re- 
member to have seen the head of a Roman emperor drawn 
with a full face. They always appear In profil, to use a 
French term of art. Addim, Ancient Medals, lit. 
1 11 break your faces till you haven't ^profile between 
you. Diclce iw, Old Curiosity Shop, vi. 
(6) A representation of the face in side view: 
as, profiles cut in black paper are called sil- 
houettes. 
Two profile heads in medal of William and Mary. 
Valpole, Anecdotes of Painting, V. 171. 
(c) In arch., the outline or contour of anything, 
such ns a building, a figure, a molding, as shown 
by a section through it. 
It Is true that the Profil or Draught of Camhalu, which 
the Portuguese have at Lisbon In the Custom-House, dif- 
fers from that of Peking, which the Hollanders brought 
along with them. Uist., Grog., etc., Diet., ed. Collier, 2d 
[ed. (1701), s. v. Cambalu. 
(d) In mi/in, and surv., a vertical section 
through a work or a section of country, to show 
the elevations and depressions. 
Anartlcleontheactualstatusofthe Panama Canal, . . . 
accompanied by a progress profile, showing the amount of 
work done and undone to January Istof the present year. 
Jour. Franklin Inst., CXXVI. 841. 
(e) In fort., a light wooden frame set up to guide 
workmen in throwing up a parapet. (/) The 
outline of a vertical section made through any 
part of a fortification in a direction perpendicu- 
lar to its principal bounding lines. MahtiH. (g) 
In ccram., 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. =Syn. 1. Contour, 
etc. See outline. 
profile (pro'fel or -fil), r. t. ; pret. and pp. pro- 
filed, ppr. profiling, [< F. profiler, draw in out- 
line, v profil, an outline : sve profile, w.] 1. To 
draw with a side view ; outline (any object or 
objects) so as to show a section as if cut perpen- 
dicularly from top to bottom. 
Had they (Oothlc architects] carefully profiled and orna- 
mented the exterior of the stone roofs . . . 
J. Fergunson, Hist. Arch., I. 460. 
2. In meek . , to impart by mean s of a tool or tools 
a definite prescribed form to (pieces of wood 
or metal) by chiseling, milling, filing, or like 
operations. 3. Theat.,io cut (the edge of wings 
or set pieces) into irregular shapes to represent 
trees, rocks, etc. 
profile-board (pro'fel-bord), . A thiu plate 
or board having its edge so cut as to delineate 
the outline of an object: used to prove the 
models of the breech and other exterior parts 
of a gun. 
profile-cutter (pro'fel-kut^r), . In wood- and 
mctal-u-orkiiHj, a knife with an irregular or 
curved cutting edge corresponding to the shape 
to be cut. Such knives are used in the mold- 
in u'-machine and milling-machine. 
profile-paper (pro'fel-pi'per), n. Paper ruled 
with horizontal and vertical linos for conve- 
n ii-nr'c in dra wing profiles of engineering works. 
profile-piece Ww'ttl-pfc), . n<tit., a strip of 
M'fiirry that has been profiled. 
profiling-machine (pro'fel-ing-ma-shen'), . A 
form of milling-machine for cut ting out small 
parts of machinery, etc., from a pattern or tem- 
plet: an edging-machine. The cutter is guided by 
