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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
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Prof(f)it, -et(t, -eit(t, n. Also: proph-; prouff- and -ite, -yt, -yte, -itt(e, -ytt; -eite, -eith, -iet(e; -at(e; pro(o)ffeitt; propfeit; Prof(f)ict. [ME and e.m.E. profyt (c1325), -et (a1340), -ite (c1350), -itte, proffit (1447–8), prof(f)et(t(e (15th c.), -u(y)te (16th c.), prophit(e (14th c.), also prouffyte (Caxton), profiȝt (c1315), -fy(g)ht, OF and mod. F. profit, earlier OF prufit (a1140 in Godef. Compl.), pur-, po(u)rfit, 15th c. prouf(f)it, L. prōfectus advance, progress, profit, f. L. prōficere (p.p. stem prōfect-) to advance.] Profit, in the usual senses.There is some overlapping between the main senses.

1. The benefit or gain (of, derived, or to be derived, by a person, community or thing); (one's) well-being or good; advantage.Chiefly sing. Also, rarely, pl. and distributive pl.Common in the phr. to or for, also aganis (agane, incontrar) (a person's) profit.It (ȝon, quhilk) is proffit (to someone), it is helpful or beneficial; it is of advantage.Also proverb.sing. (1) 1375 Barb. ii 587.
Thar wes nocht ane … That to the ladyis profyt was Mar then Iamys of Dowglas a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1116.
This … Is a demawnd without profit [: parfyt] c1420 Ratis R. 145.
To knaw profyt and eschew scaith c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 339.
Visdome is nocht profyt, but riches; na riches na worth, but wisdome c1460 Consail Vys Man 125.
But greit profyt schaip nocht to pleid c1490 Porteous Noblenes 63/74 (Ch. & M.).
For to excesse thair may neuir cum gud nor profit 1490–1 Acta Conc. I 168/2.
Abone all singulare and particulare proffit a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1074.
Proffit 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 253/2.
With battelling … and all uther … defens … necessar for savite and proffit of his said hous(b) a1400 Leg. S. i 255.
In-to na thing may be profyte [: parfyte] c1420 Wynt. viii 7081.
The king … thowcht this like Tyl hym in profyte to redownd a1500 Rauf C. 922.
Thow suld haue mair profite and mekle pardoun c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 87.
Without profite to haue sic pryde 1579, 1617 Despauter (1617) 61.
Quæstus, profite(c) c1460 Consail Vys Man 139.
Bot quhar thow may sum profet have a1500 Bk. Chess 182.
Bot for sum proffet for to wyn allso 1563 Davidson Answer 209.
This maner of examinatione appearis to bring na lytle profet to the Kirk of God c1580 Waus Corr. 541.
And your l. sall knaw wysdom and a [= have] profet in the sam(d) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2491.
And vther profeit wat I nane for me Bot gif I win ane gude name quhen I de 1549 Compl. 113 h. of ch.
That conspiratours ar ay punest … be the princis that gat profeit of there conspiratione 1558-66 Knox II 25.
Oure confederacie … sall nott be … maid … for wardlie proffeit c1500-c1512 Dunb. xx 39 (B).
Quhair parrell is but proffeit or effect 1583 Sempill Warning iv 4.
Thir thrie I vyt of vrakment of this land Particular proffeit, pryd And nychtbour veir 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 168/9.(2) c1420 Wynt. iv 74.
He regnyd [23] yhere And dyde off profyte dedys sere [L. He did … Off his realme profettis sere] 1504 Wemyss Chart. 122.
That … Wemis ressauit newer penny of profet perte[n]ing to yow 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 221. 1591–2 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 259.
Mair nor xl^m pundis of proffeit to thame selffis(3) c1420 Wynt. vi 2090.
To se for the profyte [W. proffite] Off tha barnys 1439 Edinb. Chart. 64.
The profite of oure abbay before sene c1460 Regim. Princ. 75 (Fairf.).
For euer the profytt of the comunite Is put abak quhe[n] sic men has the cure 1513 Doug. v Prol. 40.
Proffyte 1562 Will A. Betoun 226.
And for the mair securitie of the weill and proffeit of hir said barnys 1682 St. A. Baxter Bks. 141.
Taking to … consideratione the veill fair vtilitie and profeit of the said traid — a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 130/6.
Knavand the grete vtilite and profeit that men vas to haue of this sacrament(4) 1398–9 Liber Melros II 489.
And all the catill and gudez … to be distreignede … and in thaire profite to be turnide 1456 Hay II 153/19.
He settis nocht by thy prouffyt c1460 Consail Vys Man 97.
And serve thi maister weil … Kep weil his gudis and his prophet c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxii 50.
Ȝour proffeit daylie dois incres, Ȝour godlie workis les and les 1521 Liber Melros II 632.
And the price of the sammyn in thar ws and profet turnyt aye and quhill thai be … plesit of all dampnages and skaithis 1523–4 Acta Conc. MS XXXIV 42b.
For sua doing it salbe ȝour proffitt & plessir to me 1533 Gau 20/11.
Euerie man … seikkis his awne wil and profeit 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2881 (Ch.).
For pleyis, and for thair [sc. priests] profeit singulair, Thay haif of money maid this realme bair a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xiv 36.
Thy princis proffitt and honour … Set ay fordwarde a1578 Pitsc. I 383/23.
And thair landis confiscat and brocht to the kingis propheit 1673 Sc. N. & Q. 1 Ser. XII 169.(b) 1533 Gau 17/15.
Propfeit(5) 1397 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 34.
That he sall nocht resayve na resignasyovnys … of na landys rentys na possessyovnys to na mannys profyte … bot anerly to the oyis & the profyte of … Jorge 1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 181 (see (6) below). c1420 Wynt. vi 2437.
Wyth wyttaylle and wyth othire thyng … to thare lykyng Till mystare, or till thare profyt [: tyte] 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/1.
To wyn colis … to thair awne mast profit 1473–4 Peebles B. Rec. I 170.
Quhat hous that he byggis he sall joys and occupy it quhill he lewys, and eftir hys desses cumand to the prophet of the sayde osspytall 1482 Bamff Chart. 32.
Twenti markis to the suportacion of the said Gilbert and Mergret to fill a tyk to thair awne ouse utilite and prophet 1505 Edinb. Council Reg. MS I fol. 50 (= Edinb. B. Rec. (ed.) I 102).
Reulis statutis and previlegis … quhilkis ar … proffeitt and lowabill to this gude tovne 1505 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 105.
And till approper the saymn to his awin proffitt and vse 1531 Bell. Boece I 139.
Quhilk is ane plenteous regioun … full of woddis, lesuris, and valis, to the gret proffet baith of corne and bestial a1538 Abell 125b.
He distroyit … the … landis appliyt to his temporall ws and prophet a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 112/29.
And to the veil and profeit of the haly congregacione 1580 Skeyne Descr. Well.
To the greit profeit and preseruatioun of mannis life 1617 Melrose P. 302.
The haill cuistuimis … to be collected … to your behowe, vtilitie and proffeitt 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 7.(6) a1400 Leg. S. vi 490.
Fore sawle profyte Ib. xxxiii 609.
& do my consel … That I gyf thé for thi prophit [: delyt] 1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 181.
Till bring justris till the honour and profit of the said lord the governour for beath ther profit c1460 Regim. Princ. 119 (Fairf.).
Sparand thair gud & spendand thi honore Mar for thaire profyt na for thi valoure 1477 Edinb. Chart. 140.
For the honoure proffit and honestie of our saide burgh and plennesing of voide placis within the samyn 1490 Irland Mir. I 58/21.
Gers corne treis wynys [etc.] … growis in it for oure gret proffit sustentacioun and honour 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I 82. 1510 Reg. Privy S. I 317/1.
He has, for the proffit of the place and plesoir of the king, aggreit … anent his … clame a1538 Abell 121a.
Bot als for propheit baith of the kinrik of Spanȝe & Ingland 1539 Soc. Ant. II 394 (see Honour n. 1 b). 1560 Conf. Faith in 14.. Acts II 534/1.
And for the singular profite and commoditie of mankynde 1576 Edinb. Test. IV 259b.
That his gudis be not dissipate bot vsit … for thair weill & proffeitt 16.. Crail Squaremen 23.
And that for the waelfaer of the craft & profitt of the prenties — a1431 Reg. Great S. 45/1.
For lestand profyt to thaim 1517 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 88. 1587 (16..) Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 209.
For profeit to us(7) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 62/25.
That this doctrine of thi enemy … is aganis God resoun and thi profet 1528 Acta Conc. MS XXXVIII 152.
That ye admitt … nane uthir small tecatis of ouris that ar incontrar our profyte a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. c 39.
Sa fair ane taile Sa far agane ȝour proffeit and availe(8) ?1438 Alex. i 2599.
For it is proffeit and honour Ib. ii 3283.
And ȝon is proffeit and honour c1420 Ratis R. 1741.
Quhethir it proffit war, or skaithe 1461 Liber Plusc. 387.
Quhat proffyt is it with fortoun for to flyt? 1523–4 Acta Conc. MS XXXIV 44.
Quhilk sall be proffitt to me & plessir to ȝour graceproverb. 1600-1610 Melvill 458.
Na profit nor pleasure without pean-taken Ib.
Tak away profit and honour and contentioun will ceas a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 877.
It is pride but proffit to weir gloves and ga barfet Ib. No. 1679.
Without labour there is na profeitpl. 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 131.
[She] ressavit the sadis gudis fra hir sade fadir to hir utilite and proffittis 1596 Dalr. II 55/6.
Regairding baith ȝour proffets, with the vtilitie and proffet of the hail realme 1596 Edinb. B. Rec. V 158.
Quhairof [local brewing] mon insew and follow … commoditeis and proffeittis to every frieman

b. (The) commoun profit, the benefit of a whole community, as a burgh, corporation, or the like.Sometimes explicitly opposed to singular, also particular, profit.For further examples, see Commoun adj. 1.(1) a1400 Leg. S. iii 803.
A playnt, as fore commowne profyt 1400 Aberd. B. Rec. (S.H.S.) 151.
Ther air thai the quilk is ordanit to mak hankaris in the hawyn for commune profyt 1439 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 6.
It is statute and ordanit for commoun proffitt that [etc.] 1456 Hay I 70/10.
Of gude faithfull lordis that ar enclynit to cheritee and commoun proffit Ib. II 152/18. a1538 Abell *a.
Comvn prophet is to be preferrit to particular(2) 1399 Acts I 212/1.
That thar be raysit a general contribucion … for commoun nedis of the kynrike & the commoun profyte c1420 Ratis R. 1539.
The gret mischeif that is to fall To scaith the comon profyt all c1460 Regim. Princ. 121 (Fairf.).
And exclude all effectioun singulere, & to the common profyt euer tak hede 1492 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 64. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxii 71, 72.
Singular proffeit so dois ȝow blind, The common proffeit gois behind 1527 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 85.
That na unfreman by na merchandis within the town … for hurtyng the common proffet a1538 Abell 101b.
Thair is nathing at kepis the comon prophet sa weill hes faith(3) 1412 Aberd. B. Rec. I 389.
To kepe the comone profite of the tovne and the fredomys of it 1423 Edinb. Chart. 56.
The saide Dene Johne sal haf til his proper vse … the price made to the common profite of this [? burgh] 1434–5 Reg. St. A. 423.
For the comoun profit of thair hous and specially of the kirkwerk 1456 Hay I 126/22.
The commoun prouffit of all the realme … is mare to be sene to na the singlare prouffit of the baroun 1463 Newburgh B. Ct. 11a.
It wes spedful to put the threpfelde to the common profyt of the toin 1473 (?15..) Edinb. B. Rec. I 27.
For the honour worschipe and common proffeit of … his hienes realm and ledgis a1500 Bk. Chess 1160.
And for the commoun proffet of the land He chesit him as presonere to stand 1504 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 99.
Certane nychtbouris fremen … hurtis the commoun proffeitt of fremen 1522–3 Ib. 215. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 14. 1593 Aberd. B. Rec. II 85.
To the commoun proffit and use of the burgh(b) 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 14.
For the common profate of the said burgh 1527–8 Selkirk B. Ct. MS fol. 135a.
Pertening to our communite and common proffat

c. As a count noun: A particular or specified instance of benefit or advantage.(a) c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 230.
Quhilk is … nocht ellis bot afflixone of spret but ony vthir profyt ore meryt c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 232.
Thairthrow ȝe sall obtene grit proffittis thre a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxx 154.
Bot of the present pane ane profitt mak(b) 1456 Hay I 87/29.
Thare suld nane evill dede be excusit be the prouffit that hapnis tocum tharof Ib. 240/35.
Sen he mon bere his part of the payne, he sulde bere alswele his part of the prouffit(c) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 110.
Thayr is gret delygens mayd … to brek the lordis … fray yow, and large proffetis offerit thame(d) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 112.
And offar tham proffattis [gyf the ?] maitter sall be drest [etc.](e) c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 382.
The secund proffeit: we sal bring furth gude frute 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 681.
A … meane quhairby his majestie … may import a greit proffeit and commoditie 1606 Chart. Coupar A. II 220.
For the weill of oure said souerane lord and for ane seand proffeit and commoditie to his croun and realme

d. spec. Passing into: Financial advantage; money return.Cf. sense 4 below. 1500 Halyb. 264.
My brother left with me to be sald to his profyt … a pak of carsay 1500 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 633.
To tell … the said sowm … and gif it in keping to the vicar of the said kirk beand for the tyme to the profyte and the availe of me myn airis or my assignais a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxviii 28.
The hors boyis ar hurt of thair waige, Thair is no proffeit for a paige a1578 Pitsc. I 82/24.
The king … caussit the Earle of Orknay … to … gather wpe all the rentis in they partis to the kingis proffit 1622-6 Bisset I 33/16.
He wes mair sett for the kingis proffett than ony iustice; gevand his mynd … to punische persones be extreme rigoure to conqueis money to the king Ib. II 254/2.
Proffett

2. An advantage or benefit residing in (in, into), or to be derived from (of), some non-material thing.Also without const.(1) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 1/15.
Of pennans and of the condicionis frutis and proffetis thairof Ib. 1/25.
Of the deidis of almos & mercye … of thare natur werteu and condicioun and gret proffet and vtilite of tham Ib. 1/17, 1/21. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 632 (Harl.).
Off temporale trouble the proffit perpetuall 1533 Gau 43/25.
The ontellibil profeit and frwit of his deid and passione 1581 Burne Disput. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 166/15.
Quha can beir gude recorde of the profeit of that pilgramage — c1420 Wynt. ii 608.
Na thai walde … do that thai saw profyt in c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 221.
The fructe, the proffeit, and the commodytie In to this gratius and godlie unitie(2) 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 397.
To declair his maner of wryting the vtilitie of his warkis & quhat frute profite and commoditie may ensew … to the diligent reidar 1575 Reg. Privy S. VII 57/1.
And to caus him to be reddellie answerit, obeyit and payit of sic preheminence, proffeit, dewetie and commoditie as ony utheris that had … the said place war in use of 1597 Skene Verb. S. To the Reader.
Gif I haue … attempted that, quhilk vthers maie … make perfite, the proffite and commoditie redoundis to thee

3. sing. and pl. (The) revenue (from, of a specified source); a product (or the products, collectively) yielded by a natural process or derived by an artificial one.As: the returns or proceeds from any source of wealth or income, freq. land; the yield or produce of land or of farm animals; etc.

sing.Appar. only in Orkney and Shetland: (To tak away, los etc.) the profit of one's milk, with reference ? to the cow's going dry or ? to the failure of the milk products of butter or cheese.(1) c1420 Wynt. i 222.
Syne be craft … Off mylk and wole he gat profyte [: delyte] Ib. 1310.
As the makarys had daynte Off thai bestys … Be fret, or oys, or be profyt [C. profyte, W. profite] Ib. viii 64.
Scotland … suld joys all fredomys, Frawnchis, profyt [W. proffectis, Au. proffetis, C. prowit] and customys Ib. ii 192. 1428 Wemyss Chart. 56.
Sauffande … suylk lyke profyte as hym selfe has in the … cole and quarale 1501 Acta Conc. III 93. 1571 Leslie in Misc. Bann. C. III 132.
Fywe ȝeris proffeit 1580 St. A. Baxter Bks. 30.
Becaus the service men pleingȝeis that thai gett na proffeit of ony meat that is sett vp in ony brotheris hous 1592 Reg. Morton I 181.
The prouestrie of Dalkeith … being ane mater of verie small proffitt nocht exceding xl merkis of ȝeirlie dewtie [etc.] 1643 Misc. Spald. C. III 146.
All custoumes, grassoumes, service silver, and all uther commodities quhairby profitt aryseth 1661 Glasgow B. Rec. II 461.
To Charles M‘Clean, jylour [£20] … for his extraordinarie paines in attending the tolbuith … having got no profeit therby(2) 1442 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 7.
The proffitt that cummis of the said ij d. of custome 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 201.
The profit and chetre reseruit to the abbay 1489 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 16.
The wrangwis haldyn of kow and v scheip vytht the proffit fra Agnes Twlcht 1550 Stirlings of Keir 403.
[He] hes remittit to me the proffeit that he mycht haue had of my mariage 1622-6 Bisset II 95/10 (see Disprof(f)ett n.). 1677 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 246.
Tua ky … togider with the ofspring and profit, calff and milk(3) 1391 Lennox Mun. 44.
Thridpart the proffet of al that the said erle … has … of the said justeryis c1420 Wynt. vii 1902. 1464 Peebles B. Rec. I 152.
[The] sculmaster … to tak the prophet of the scoule has efferis of the chylder at he techis 1478 Acta Aud. 67/2.
To pruf the crop and proffit of the sawing of the landis 1481 Peebles B. Rec. I 188.
The balye … gawe … sesing … of the vs occupacion and profet of the said hall pantreis and loft … to [etc.] 1490 Acta Conc. I 162/1.
And the said Lord Rothuen sall haf the proffite of the mariage of the said Henry 1492–3 Ib. 270/1.
To distrenȝe … Adam … for the proffit of the fogage of lx of nolt [etc.] Ib. 289/2.
The saidis personis sall … pay … for the proffit of the mylknes of the said five ky … xv stane of cheis … and for the proffite of the brok of the … scheip … [80] lammes … & for the proffit of the woll … twa stane of woll 1494 Acta Aud. 204/1.
& pay to the said Matho Quhite the avale & proffit of the said cornes 1504 Wemyss Chart. 121.
Anent … the profet of the coll and salt wone … within the lardschip 1547 Perth Guildry MS 249 (6 May).
That he haif the proffite of four burgesis and gildbrethir tobe nemmyt be hym thairto 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II 74.
Haffand thairto the profeit of the girs lyand within the saidis acris 1592 Misc. Spald. C. V 116. 1593 Acts IV 15/1. 1616 Orkney Rec. in Dalyell Darker Superst. 236.
[Having] leirnit to take the proffeit of thair nyghtbouris cornis and ky of the saids Egyptians 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 78.
Sho wantit the proffeit of ane meill of malt that she was brewing befoir Yule Ib.
That Christane Reid … got ane drink and so took the proffeit off the wort with her 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 338.
Considdering of the proffeit and commoditie of thair commone mylnis … hes bene … neglectet(4) 1508 Mill Mediæv. Plays 137.
Ony man haffand takis of … landis or ony pensioun or proffit of the towne 1517 Fife Sheriff Ct. 70.
To preif the quantite of the awaile & proffit of the said landis 1519 Montgomery Mem. 89.
Broakand the profet of the saidis landis 1523–4 Acta Conc. MS XXXIV 44.
For I haue na proffitt in the inwart pertis 1527 Caldwell P. 61.
I wil … nevar lift, raisse, nor uptak ony profitte, malis [etc.] … of the said fif merk land 1535 Acts II 344/2. ?1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 85.
My landis of Scheitland and the proffeit yeirlie therof extending xxvj b. butter, fyfty twa pak of wadmell 1576 Edinb. Test. IV 119b.
The said Helen to haif the haill proffitt of the … hauch of the Kinȝean cleuch — 1592 Acts III 572/1.
That all … quha wer … dispossessit of thair landis … suld be … repossessit fra the croip and proffite of the ȝeir(5) 1492–3 Acta Conc. I 289/2.
And pay … for the brok and proffit of the said v ky … ilk kow a calf 1499–1500 Ib. II 405. 1549–50 Glasgow Prot. I 8.
The proffet of ilk hors in werk, lawboure, ryding, and hyirgang 1550 Lanark Sheriff Ct. MS 38b.
xx ȝeld scheipe the profett of ilk pece in woll lame butter & hyrding ij s 1573–4 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 255. 1574 Ib. 200.
The profeit and excressens of ane hors daylie will extend to xii d. usuall monie 1587 Prot. Bk. J. Mason 240.
In … compleit payment of the said Davidis pairt of the said meir, prices and proffeitis thairof 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 3.
Scho wantand the profeit of hir ky eftir that Kaithrein Makteir had handallit thame 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 127.
The kow … to be delyverit againe … with the profeit thairof 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 80.
He wantit the proffeit of his ky by it and storit never ane calff of fyftene ky be the space of thrie yeirs 1664 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I 31.(6) 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 22.
[A suspected witch] to quite hirselff of the taking of William Philpis profeit of his mylke 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. 25.
And that they [sc. gipsies] can help or hinder in the proffeit of the milk of bestiall 1616 Dalyell Darker Superst. 264.
The lid of hir kirne wald be weit gif she had the profeit of hir milk 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 105. 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V 545.
The pure woman … got ane soup off milk from his wyff and immediatlie tharefter the said Robert his wyff lossit hir proffit off hir haill milk(7) 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 100.
All profet and commodites [of a house] to be delt equaly betueix the saidis Madde and Jenot 1539–40 Reg. Privy S. II 504/2.
All proffitt and utilite that may occure … of … kachepelis 1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 23.
My full pouer to persew the samyne and all prophett that may be obtenit thairthrow(8) 1681 Stair Inst. i xvii §17.
Profit, which comprehends fruits, is a part of the creditor's interest in sale

pl.Violent profits, see the quots. from Stair under (6) below.For further examples, see Dewité n. 3 and 4, Es(e)ment n. 1, Froit(e n. 2, etc.(1) a1350 Facs. Nat. MSS II 14.
Dicte terre vsufructu [gl. gres, water and othir profitis] 1386 (1414) Bk. Carlaverock 418.
And of al vthir proffitis esementis and commodites and fredomez that pertenis … to the forsaidez landis 1400 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 7/17.
Wyth al profitis fredomys & esmentis 1443 (1450) Reg. Great S. 85/2. 1446–7 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 240.
And vther revenovs and profitis falland to vs in our said schirredomis 1487–8 Ib. 320.
Balȝeis … with all profytis of courtis except heriȝelde and bludwit 1509–10 Reg. Privy S. I 305/1.
With power to lift and rais the said maliz and proffitis 1534 Liber Melros II 628.
Profeiteis(2) 1388 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 294.
And the amerciaments and the profites of thir courtes cummand sall evynly halffe be to … Alexander and the tothir half to … John 1420 Ib. IV 182.
The profitis cumand of the landis of Badenach 1423 (1429–30) Reg. Great S. 30/2.
And thir … profitis and commoditez we wil that … Michel rayise and joise 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 150.
The proffittis of woll, cheise and lam that he micht haff had of the sammyn 1517 Fife Sheriff Ct. 70.
The quhilkis awailis & proffittis that … Johne … wantit … extendis in the haile to [£20] 1531–2 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. (ed.) 47. 1573–4 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 255.
The yeirlie commoditie and profeittis quhilkis he mycht haue haid of the saidis tua oxin 1622-6 Bisset I 39/11. 1648 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 92.
The office of toun clerkschip … with the proffeitis, privileges, and commodities belonging thairto(3) 1388 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 294.
Gif the forsaid Alexander makis … alehowses smythies or ony othir, profites of that sall be … in evyn porcioun 1420 Ib. IV 181. 1423 (1429–30) Reg. Great S. 30/2.
The fructis and the profittis of the kyrk of Dalgarnoch 1432 Haddington B. Rec. in Soc. Ant. II 387.
For sundrie profits of the sayd burgh 1456 Hay II 83/17.
Ferrar na his rentis and prouffitis of his realme may streke 1488 Acta Conc. I 89/1.
The proffitis of the sade fisching … extending ȝerely to ix^xx of salmond laxis 1488–9 Ib. 115/1.
The wrangwis … vptakin of of the proffitis of the coleheuche of the said manis 1497–8 Ib. II 127. 1557 Dunferm. Ann. 199.
That nane of the multouris nor profettis of the west milne be abstract … thairfra 1571 Grey Friars II 121. 1590 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 9 June.
Profeithis 1598 Paisley B. Rec. 219.
The profeits of quhatsumever wards, nonentress and uthir casualties [etc.] 1641 Peebles Chart. 107.(4) 1386 (1414) Bk. Carlaverock II 419.
Grantand al the proffitis malis and rentis of the saide landis to … Sir Herbert c1390 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 19.
All the fermes and the profites of Coldynghame 14.. Burgh Laws c. 26 (B).
For his fadyr in al his lyfe tuke the profitis [A. froytis] of tha landis 1494 Acta Aud. 204/1.
Withhalding … of the proffitis and cornes of ane twelf perte of the landis 1506 Maxwell Mem. I 226.
Prophetis 1531 Bell. Boece II 250.
And he to rejose the commoditeis and proffettis of thair said landis 1531–2 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. (ed.) 54.
The … violent … occupying … of the landis … with the profeittis and valoris thairof 1537 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 413.
The malys and the prophetis of … the … tenment outland [etc.] … with all commoditeis and prophetis pertinyng … thairto 1562 Knox Ressoning 180.
I will nether interchange nature nor nurtor with yow, for all the proffets of Crosraguell a1578 Pitsc. I 162 h. of ch.
The uptakin of the proffietes and deuities of the Erledom of Marche c1639 Scots Lore (Glasgow, 1895) I 161.(5) 1492–3 Acta Conc. I 289/2.
For the proffitis of the saidis gudis … quhilkis he micht haf haid of the sammyn 1496–7 Ib. II 57.
Thre score of yowis, with the proffittis of thame 1501 Ib. III 76.
Twelf hundreth ky … with the proffittis mylkis and calffis of the sammyn 1530 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 126.
xvij scheip vith the profettis thairof, voll, lam & melknes 1573–4 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 256.
The profeittis of ilk ane of the samen [oxen] in wark, laubour and hyirgang yeirlie(6) 1594 Acts IV 69/1.
That … the pertie persewit be ane vther for eiectioun sall find cautioun for the violent proffittis 1622-6 Bisset I 145/10.
Violent proffettis eftir the geving of decreittis of removing and succeeding in the vyces c1630 Hope Minor Pract. (1726) 99. Ib. (1734) 377 n. 1632 Anal. Scot. II 68.
And therefter gat ane decreit of violent profeits 1681 Stair Inst. iv xxix 2.
Violent profits are so called because they arise from violent attaining or retaining of possession and are partly persecutory partly penal Ib. i ix 16, ii ix 44.

b. A source of income or revenue. 1417 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 215.
Ony relesyng … of warde … or ony other profite 1528 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 96.
Bailyes … to gef ane coumpt and tak ane coumpt of all the common proffettis 1596 Dalr. I 44/23.
In quhilkes [rivers] all abundance of salmont ar takne. … Nathir is alane this proffit [L. emolumenti] obteined in the mouthis and entries of the riueris

c. Wealth; money payment or return; cash. 1492 Myll Spect. 289/7.
That scho wald tak lay meid and proffet thar for 1495 Reg. Episc. Brechin. II 316.
Na till appropyr na profyt till thame … for lane or vs of thyr forsaid thingis 1501 Acta Conc. III 92.
He sall set … quhare he may get maist proffitt for the sadis landis 1533 Bell. Livy II 157/18.
Thare gudis war multiplyit be excrescence of the proffitt that thai haue won afore in batall

d. The value or worth of (off) something. 1545 Douglas Corr. 156.
To gar delayver one to me my copebairde off plate quiche his hienes geif me … with letters rayment mony [etc.]. … It is to smalle affecke, and his hienes ville nocht regarde the laytille profit off it

4. The financial gain made in any transaction.

a. The excess of selling-price over cost-price, or of income over outlay.Also comb.(a) a1500 Bernardus 116.
Mane, sel thi corne … For mesurabyl vynnynge profet and awale 1515 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 155.
The said woll to be sauld for the maist availl and the proffit and excrescence thairof that cummis aboue the soumes that the said lord sould haue thairfore to be applyit to the commoun werks and walling of the toun 1532–3 Reg. Privy S. II 210/2.
That oure saidis thesaurare and comptrollare ansuere and mak compt for the proffitt of the said cunȝe resavit be thaime … sa fer as thai tak up 1584 Argyll Fam. Lett. 67.
That scho bestow the proffeit and excressance thairof quhilk remanis over his awin chargis … to his vtilitie and proffeit 1591 Crawford Mining P. i.
It salbe lesum to the said Sir Dauid … to enter in equal societey in profit and los vith the said Mr. Henry 1591–2 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 259.
Not onlie the proffeit that may arrys vpone the said affyning bot also all proffeit quhatsumeuir that may arrise be the said industrie of the saidis straingearis 1599 Acts IV 181/1.
Seing the cvnȝie is ane of the speciall pointis belanging to the crowne and the profeit that may be had be the same is appropriat be all princes … to thair awin … vses Ib. 183/1.
Quhill … the saidis soumes … be releifit be the frie profeit to be gottin be his majestie of the said pannis 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 209.
The nobilmen … quha hes … thair estaitis in arrabill ground sall want that profeit and dispatche of thair cornis quhiche [etc.] 1632 Ib. 356.(b) 1612 Reg. Privy C. IX 346.
Prooffeittcomb. 1503 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 97.
Bying of the samyn [meal] in greit quantitie … and selling of the samyn to the puir folkis vpoun proffeit-wynning, causand greit darthe

b. sing. and pl. Interest on capital lent.For further examples see Brok n.²Vpon or on, also for, proffit, at interest.(1) 1557–8 Ayr B. Acc. 128.
[The] proffit [on 100 merks lent to the town to pay the Sheriff, £4] 1594 Acts IV 70/2.
That quha euir committis vsurie or ocker … that is to say takis mair proffite for the len of mo[n]e[y] nor as it cummis to ten pundis in the ȝeir for ane hundreth pundis [etc.] Ib.
For the said vnlawfull proffite 1597 Ib. 119/2. 1599 Ib. 187/1.
The withgait and libertie quhilk sindry avaricious … persones hes tane to exact … sik exorbitant & intolerable proffite & vsurie for the leane of thair money 1600-1610 Melvill 8.
Till twa thowsand marks and the profit war peyit comptlie 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 73.
And gif Jhone Ramsay caysseione for the llent monnay and the proffeit 1605 Edinb. Test. XL 280b.
Ane thousand merkis not to be gevin vnto him vnto he be xxij ȝeiris and the proffeit to hald him at the leirning a1671 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I 258.
[The said George … discharges him … of the said] unlawful proffite — 1583 Edinb. Test. XIII 124.
Vpoun … the brokkis excrescence & ȝeirlie proffeitis of hir geir 1627 Aberd. Journal N. & Q. VI 118.
Fywe thowsand merks … principall sowme with the byrune proffeitts therof restand 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 314.
To mak payment to us of the saids principall sowme and proffitts 1632 Ib. 368.
And with the superplus of the proffeitts and sic as alredie hes accresit we intend … to by lands(2) 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 601.
To sustene the saidis bairnis … upoun the proffeit and brok of the said sowme without diminutioun of the principall 1593–4 Ayr B. Acc. 181.
[To Alexander Lokhert, for the] proffeit [of 250 merks owed by the town, £20] 1604 Aberd. B. Rec. II 256. 1616 Brechin Kirk S. 9 July.
William Martine payit ten merks as proffeit off ane hundreth merks in his hand perteining to the kirk 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 367.
The rent of the said lands to be bocht with the said soume to be in place … of the said annualrent and proffeit of the said sowme 1646 Moray Synod 101.(3) 1582 Perth B. Ct. (16 May).
And the samyn thre hundreth markis … to be warit be the said Andro apon land and profeit to the behuif and vthilite of him selff 1588 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 520.
Money [to be] gottin vpoun proffeitt for making thair charges 1599 Acts IV 183/1.
To tak vpoun profeit the soume of [£20,000] 1602 Aberd. B. Rec. II 234. 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 363.
[£10,000] to be … employit on profite for maintenance of ten poore scholares within our grammar schole and colledge Ib.
Be sequestratioun of the moneyis for some few yeiris on profite Ib. 367.(4) 1599 Acts IV 183/1.
And becaus the personis … quha will in onywayes advance the said money for profeit will nawayes be content of ten of the hundreth for the ȝeirlie profeit of the same 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 52b.
Ane thing lattin and receaved to hyre for rent and profite

5. In certain special verb phrases, in senses 1, 3 and 4 above.

a. To do (a) profit (to or till a person or thing or const. dat. pron. also without const., also to mak (a person) profit (const. dat. pron.), to confer a benefit, gain or advantage.(1) a1400 Leg. S. vi 492.
For, as medycyne … Dois to the body na profyte [: parfyte], Bot [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ii 984.
Quhare Tenelaus [sic] … dyde hym profyt and fordede 1438 Reg. St. A. 430.
Considering that it did yhow never proffit 1456 Hay I 221/3.
That he that dois to the prince and the realme sum proffit … joys sum part [etc.] Ib. 141/1. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2505.
Thus may ȝe wene ȝe do me profeitis grete 1531 Bell. Boece I 76. — a1500 Colk. Sow iii 10.
The thrid penny … Quhilk for the tyme no fruct nor proffeit did(2) 1424 Grey Friars II 167.
Gef sic a seelle mych mak tham ony profit and helpe tham til ony charter or evident c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2498.
The erd remanis and na profit ws mais

b. To mak or do (one's) profit, to gain a benefit or advantage for oneself; to make gain. 14.. Acts I 362/2.
That al burges suld be fre … to by and to sell and thar proffyt for to doo 1456 Hay I 242/10.
That … men ar [ed. an] behaldyn to do thair prouffit in alkyn maner 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 94.
Making his proffeit of everie thing mycht serve his turne 1568 Q. Mary in Facs. Nat. MSS III lviii.
Thai may not fynd mater to mak thair profit aganis me 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 45.
The said Chamæleon wes ane of the reddiest to gnaw the bainis of the deed, to spoyle the qwyk and mak his proffeit at that marcat 1597 Skene Verb. S. To the Reader.
Reade therefore, and mak thy profite of gud thinges

c. To mak profit, to gain a benefit or (financial) advantage. c1590 Fowler I 67/6.
By thair losses and thair harmes this [? = thus] proffeit did I mak 1597 Crawford Mining P. xvii.
Incaice the said Guilielme find that … he may nocht mak sufficient profeit 1616 Stirling B. Rec. I 144.
Thair sall be proffeit maid yeirlie to the toun of all weyabill merchand wairis, sic as lint [etc.]

d. To set (land) to profit, to make productive or profitable. 1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 182.
That our said lord the governour hes gevin to … the Earll of Mar the profitis cumand of the landis of Badenach [etc.] … ay till the tyme that thay may be sett to profitt [etc.] … And alsua the said earll … oblissis him … that he sall doe all his … diligens to bring and sett the saidis landis … till the maist profitt that he may

e. To put (also unput) to profit, to make (land or wealth) profitable or productive; to lend (money) at interest; ? to put (a person) in a situation of independence because of work, wealth, marriage, etc.(1) 1456 Hay I 80/20.
And alssua that thai and thaire forebearis has … governyt, defendit and labourit thai landis, and put to prouffit in lufe, law and leautee 1550 Black Bk. Taymouth 408.
And he sall do his vther diligens to put the saidis yairdis to proffite a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxx 38.
That thow may vs frilie Thy awin leifing so that it ma be trewlie Put to sic proffeit [Maitl. Q. proffeittis] as guidlie it may 1617 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 168.
Anent the overtouris proponit for putting of the holf of Leith to ane proffeitt for the use of the guid toun — 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 339.
And all lett and impediment quhilk mycht have stayed the toune unput thame to proffet [etc.](2) 1560 Stirling B. Rec. I 75.
The quhilkis sowmis of money, gold, silver [etc.] … we oblis us … to put to proffit to the saidis barnis … and that the samin or the avale tharof … togidder with the profit tharof to redound to the saidis barnis(3) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 257.
For oft-tymis wrecht nedy kynne … may nocht … Put thaim [sc. maidens] in tyme to thar profyt [Gud Wyf & D. 293 Put thame in ȝouthed to profit] 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 391.
Tending to possess the said Ewfames landis … and put away hir gudis quhairwith sould sustene the remanent of hir barnis nocht put to proffeit as yit to the nowmer of four dochteris and ane sone 1566 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 153.
[Her tocher is to be £60 of which she binds herself to relieve her father of £20], considerand the honest damisolis that the said Archbald hes by hir that ar to be putt to proffitt als wele as sche suld be 1582 Edinb. Test. XI 267.
I leue to Margaret Murray my dochter xx li. to be gevin to hir sa sone as scho salbe put to proffeit

f. To lay to proffeit, see Lay v.¹ 26 e. g. To lat (money) to proffeit, to lend at interest.Vpon or on, also for, proffit, at interest. 1580 Edinb. Test. VIII 23.
Ane hundreth merkis … to be put all togidder in ane soum and laid to proffeit ȝeirlie — 1597 Acts IV 120/1.
Sua that the personis quha lute thair money to proffeit not content to ressaue the ordinair annuelrent therfoir [etc.] Ib. 120/2.
Of the said sowme quhilk thay latt to proffeitt