Middle English Dictionary Entry
prō̆fitāble adj.
Entry Info
Forms | prō̆fitāble adj. Also proffitable, profittable, profithabel, profightabil, profiȝtable, profituble, prophitable, profetable, profethabil, prophetable, profectabel, prouff(u)itable & (error) providabille; pl. profitable(s. |
Etymology | OF profitable & AL profitābilis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Advantageous, profitable, expedient; helpful; physically beneficial; -- often with for- or to- phrase, infinitive phrase, or that- clause; (b) of counsel, advice, words: helpful, sound, good; of laws, ordinances, etc.: beneficial; (c) of places: providing practical or strategic advantages; of times or days: propitious, auspicious, favorable; (d) yielding spiritual or moral benefit, spiritually or morally helpful; (e) ?better.
Associated quotations
a
- (1348) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.4 : That non be so hardi to wirk by nyȝt no werk of peauter be cause..the vew of the night is not so profitable ne certen as is of the day to the commen profit.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.10.33 : I by alle thingis plese to alle men, not sechinge what is profitable [L utile] to me.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2224 : We shul thanne..conseille thee thyng that shal be profitable.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)74a/a : Noþing is more profitable to þe comyn profit þan a good riȝtful lord.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Tim.4.8 : Bodylyche exercyse is profytabel to luytel þing.
- a1425 This blessyd boke (LdMisc 286)39 : His werkis were ful profetabul to pore and rych.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)49b/b : It were not profitabel but harmeful þat a grete tunikel schulde mete wiþ a sotil tunikel wiþ outen a mene.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)14/28 : It is profitable to sette tofore þe rubriches of þe tretys and chapitres.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)12/11 : The cleernes of the sonne is profitable to all thing.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1496 : Þai til oþer thinges takes tent Mor profetabil to þe couent.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)269/33 : It is not prophetabull to vs to put vs on oure countre.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)145/7 : He must ryse erly, þe wiche þing ys ryght prophetabul to man.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)8/3 : It may be expedient and profitable þat summe of þo bookis be..not liȝtli..vndirstonde of þe wittiest lay men.
- (1465) Paston (EETS)1.316 : That shall be most profectabell to you.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)105/14 : The senatours..wiste neuer whethir the conqueste of Cartage were mor proffitable for the wele of Rome than it had not be conquered.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)f.77va : Open the fysshe & .. take to the the herte, the galle & the mylte and kepe them by the -- they be prouffitable and necessarye for medycynes.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)184/36 : Lete yche [counselor] be sondryd fro odyr qwan thow wult axe owght, for þan it is so most profyghtabyl to þi werkis.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)293 : Vengeance is nat often prophitable.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)985 : Their bodies were appliable To youre highnesse in al thinge prophetable.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)5242 : He..aleide alle luþer lawes..and gaf mo newe, Þat profitabul to þe puple were proued.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 17.14 : Þurȝ þe wil of þe lord is scatered þe profitable counseil of Achitophel.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2341 : They enforcen hem alwey rather to speke plesante wordes..than wordes that ben trewe or profitable.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2201 : Nessus..Yaf such counseil..Which semeth outward profitable.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)7.259 : Þise arn profitable [vr. prophitable] wordis.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)11 : Wysse me to werpe owte som worde..Plesande & profitabill to the pople.
- (1444) RParl.5.121b : He shall not..yeve no maner Counsell unto the seid Baillifs..but such as to his conscience may be most proffitable and available to the seid Baillifs.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Meas.Treas.(Hrl 2255)75 : Meyris, sherevys..Kepith your fraunchise and statutys profitablys.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)11/4 : Crist wolde sendyn hem helful and profitable conseil.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)8/18 : We schall putt suche ordinaunce that schal be profittable for to abyde the grace of Gode.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.8a : We..beseche youre moost habundant grace to doo calle before youre Highnes..all other profitable Statutes and Ordynaunces.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Glo 42)742/14 : I schall gyffe yow good counselle & profytabull.
c
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.163 : Þe souþ contrey..may by better corne londe..more noble citees, and more profitable hauenes.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.225 : Þe men..made a wal of torves and of stoon, þat was noþing profitable.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)57/10 : Þe see of Galile..es riȝt profitable for þe cuntree.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)68b : It nedith to wite in what place we schulle fiȝte ynne, wheþer þe place be profitable to vs and noyous to oure enemyes, oþer elles noyous to vs and profitable to hem.
- c1450 Metham Days Moon (Gar 141)152/23 : This day ys profytabyl to bye and to selle vp-on, to pase the see with marchaundyse.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)1616 : Yf it be profitabill, we mowe a-bide & rest.
d
- c1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)4 : Herkneþ alle to my speche, And hele of soule i may ou teche; Þat i wole speke, it is no fable, Ac hit is swiþe profitable.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)185/1 : Þe meste profitable red þet me may habbe is þe red of..Iesu crist.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Eccl.7.12 : Profitablere..is wisdam with richesses.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Tim.4.8 : Pite is profytable [L utilis] to alle thingis.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)1.120 : Heo þat..endeþ..in profitable werkes, Mouwen be siker þat heore soules schullen to heuene.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)16.83 : Penaunce is profitable for þe soule.
- (?c1422) Hoccl.ASM (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)41 : Ther is noon art..So profitable ne worthy to be.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)134/7 : This goostly excercise and worchinge is noþing profitable to me.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)171 : It is profitable þat we vs silf take wilfully to vs silf peyne bi occasioun of þe same synne.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)100/123 : Clennes of hert thre thynges kepes..waker thoght..of God..bisynes to kepe þi fyve wittes..honest occupacion and prophetabyll [vr. profetable].
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)115 : The labour..schulde be the profitablist labour whiche myȝte be doon anentis hem.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)75 : God haþ ȝeuen to vs þe newe lawe..more profitablar þan ani oþer lawe.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)239/28 : The good fame and saluable doctrine of the manly faders and auncient men..may be more profitable to induce the yonge men to vertu.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)225/34 : That prayer is profitable, it proueþ wel by ensample.
- a1425(?c1400) Wycl.PN(2) (Hrl 2398)101 : Þe sevene askynges of þis prophetable prayer scholde men lerne.
e
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ecclus.16.4 : Profitable [WB(2): more profitable; L utile] it is to dien without sones þan to leuen vn-pitous sones.
2.
(a) Useful, serviceable; (b) efficacious, effective, healing; ~ ayenes (for), effective as the remedy of (a disease); ~ to, beneficial for (sb. suffering from a disease), effective for treatment of (a disease, pain, etc.); (c) fitting, appropriate; (d) of persons: able, competent; helpful (to sb. or a community); worthy, valuable.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/b : Fire hoote iren & rede is nought profitable to kerue nor kutte til it bigynne to wexe white.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)291b/b : Þe conynge..is a profytable beste boþe to mete and to cloþing and to many maner medicyne.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)8.191 : In alle kynne craftes..Prophitable [vr. Profitable] to þe plouh, he putte me to lerne.
- (c1400) Gower PP (Eg 2862)300 : The wolle, whanne it is wel sponne, Doth that the cloth is strong and profitable.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)82/22 : Þe ox es þe halyest beste..and maste profitable.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.19/22 : Thy clerkis hadde a profitable boke to them.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)188 : This worthi Duke was armed in stele, In armes goode and profitable.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.234 : He þat..will noght done no werkes profitable, Thow myght hym calle a verrey asse expresse.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)99b : Profitabyll: Aptus, Conueniens, commodus, profetabilis, necessarius.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1602 : The iiijth [element]..is profitable & best to be vside.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)54/9 : What shall the werkeman do with the instrument whanne it is nat profitable to his werke but ley it away?
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)195b/b : Thynne plates of golde fyre hoote y-quenchede in wyne makeþ þe wyne profituble aȝens þe euele of þe splene.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)38b/b : Collirium citrinum & collirium rosatum beþ confecte..to þe same entent and for to emplaster wt þe same þingz is profitable.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)106/5 : I haue founde ful ofte þe plastre of two garnates profitable.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)108/36 : Rosted metes ben more profitable to hym þan soden.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)1283 : Qwerffore men this proffytabyl gyse Vse, a dry[n]k of jacynctys and orygaun.
- a1450 Treat.Horses (Sln 2584)129/576 : Þese medicynes buþ good & prophytable.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)85 : Þer is no-þing so profitable to þe ache of þe lendys þan is þe iuus of lekys.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)33/22 : Þat is profytabyll for alle maner euyll of eyne.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)71a/b : Oile of rosis is myche more profitabler þan is oyle symple.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)91a/a : Colde medicyns weren profitable to þe bledynge of þe wounde.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)597 : Were ys [my] bowg[e]tt with drynk profytable?
c
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)66/1423 : Ich þe wille ful wel awreke, So ich hit finde profitable.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Lamb 633)191/6 : Rathir and more Providabille ys to a man to gouern hymself than othir mene.
d
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.12.12 : Judas demynge verrely hem profitable [L utiles] in many thingis, bihiȝte pees.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Tim.2.21 : He schal be..profytable to the Lord, redy to al good work.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.471 : He was a profitable [vr. profithabel; L utilis] counsaillour for þe comynte.
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.62 : Eueril yere schal ye alderman clepyn up iiij men of ye gyld, to chesyn an alderman, skyueyns, and den, yt ben profeth-abil to ye gyld.
- (1423-4) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.181/1274 : Þe same William was profitable and besy to do þe comon profite of þe same craffte.
- (1428) Reg.Langley in Sur.Soc.169104 : She is fulnecessarye and profitable to us, both in spirituell governance and temporell.
- c1440(a1401) Life Bridlington in NM 71 (Yale 331)p.144 : He was ful prophetable In slike a hous to be souerayne.
- a1450 Pore of spirit (Dgb 102)69 : Blessid be þe mercyable..To pore folk he is profytable.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)383/25 : Þer was a husband þat had a servand þat was profetable & trew vnto hym.
- a1500(a1400) Libeaus (Lamb 306)1266 : Alle in same..chosyn hym prophytable Knyght of the Rounde Table.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1531 : Þe porter profytable To hys lord..Þus hys tale tolde.
- c1450(?a1400) Chestre Launfal (Clg A.2)10 : Artoure..Soiournede yn Kardeuyle..And knyȝtes þat were profitable.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)104/14 : Man ys hardy as a lyon, dredful as a hare..profitable as a Bee.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)647 : Men that be masters of scyens be profytable.
3.
Yielding profits, revenue, or income; lucrative, remunerative; also fig.
Associated quotations
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Phil.3.7 : Þilke þinges þat weren profytabel & wynnynge to me, for Crist ich hafe y-demed þat þei beþ harmful.
- (1419) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.166 : That ȝe comand hym to enforme ȝou..of the estat of this Contre, and..of the governance of ȝoure Officers in this parties whilk arn proffitable for ȝou.
- (1450) Wars France in RS 22.1514 : He..may..carye oute of..Southeamptone..merchandises..in to thobbeissance of our adversaire of Fraunce, and from tho parties to bringe..marchaundisses into..our royaume, as shal be thoughte, most behoveful and prouffuitable.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3166 : Hit is a proffitable pray of persons..And godis..of gold &..syluer.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)37/10 : Ȝe owyn to tythen of alle thynges profyȝtable þat renewyd be þe ȝere.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)151 : Þat office is to hym also profitable as wolde be a c s.off ffee or rente.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2850 : In hym will be at oon tyme wrogth lx werkis..Therfore profitable it is certeyn.
4.
(a) Of places: plenteous, yielding abundantly; of persons, animals: thriving, healthy, flourishing; (b) of a newborn offspring: healthy, live; (c) spiritually rich; (d) leading to improvement.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Wisd.4.3 : Þe manye-fold goten multitude of vnpitous men shal not ben profitable.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)112a/a : In þe seuenþe monþe..a child is Ibore profitable and helful.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)181b/b : Þer ynne ben Ilondes..plenteuouse and ryche of goolde..and also profitable in treen.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.365 : If my neighbore had any hyne or any beste..More profitable þan myne, many sleightes I made, How I myȝte haue it.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)50/224 : So xal þi sede..encres and be evyr prophytabyll.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)266a/a : Þe burthe of þe asse..is laweful and profitable after þre ȝeer.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)94/5 : Þanne ssel he habbe..lyf lostuol and profitable.
d
- a1450 Chauliac(4) (Cai 336/725)3/21 : The cause of þis comentynge was not to recte defaute of bokis, but for þer profitable acordynge & onynge.
5.
Of vows:?fulfilled, accomplished.
Associated quotations
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)1130 : In the conne we fynde no fabull; Þine avowes aren profetabull.
6.
As noun: (a) benefit; gain; (b) a useful property or quality.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)1.145 : For most profytable [vrr. profit, profijt] to þe puple, a plouh þei gonne make.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Glo 42)765/10 : Iyf þou chese one of þese in þe wyche is moste profytabull [vr. profite] & a-vayle, Thow schalt haue my son.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)153b/a : A ryuer haþ many profitables [L vtilitatem] þat ben couenable to þe vse of men.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)50/8 : Helye..chesyd..the mownt of Carmeli as a profytabler place to plantyn in it a prophetycal religyon of the lyf of a monk, the bettyr to be tawt and to be exercysyd.
Note: ?NF (comparative).