1. [n]  biographical sketch
2. [n]  a graph representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
3. [n]  a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers
4. [n]  a side view representation of an object (especially a human face)
5. [v]  represent in profile, by drawing or painting
6. [v]  write about; "The author of this article profiles a famous painter"

Profile
Profile

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1. \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.
   

2. \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.
   

1. Simple language for matching and scoring data. "User's Manual for the PROFILE System", Cambridge Computer Assoc (May 1974).

   [Jargon File]

2. 1. A control file for a program, especially a text file automatically read from each user's home directory and intended to be easily modified by the user in order to customise the program's behaviour. Used to avoid hard-coded choices (see also dot file, rc file).

   2. 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.