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.

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.

• (countable) the outermost shape, view, or edge of an object
       His fingers traced the profile of the handle.
  
• (countable} the shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side
       The brooch showed the profile of a Victorian woman.
  
• (countable) a summary or collection of information, especially about a person
       Law enforcement assembled a profile of the suspect.
  
• (uncountable) reputation
  
• (uncountable) the amount by which something protrudes
       Choose a handle with a low profile so it does not catch on things.
  
• (uncountable) prominence; noticability
       Acting is, by nature, profession in which one must keep a high profile.
  
• to create a summary or collection of information, especially about a person
  
• to act based on such a summary; especially, to act on a stereotype. See profiling.