PROFILE

, in Architecture, the figure or draught of a building, fortification, or the like; in which are expressed the several heights, widths, and thicknesses, such as they would appear, were the building cut down perpendicularly from the roof to the foundation. Whence the Profile is also called the Section, and sometimes the Orthographical Section; and by Vitruvius the Sciography. In this sense, Profile amounts to the same thing with Elevation; and so stands opposed to a Plan or Ichnography.

Profile is also used for the contour, or outline of a figure, building, member of architecture, or the like; as a base, a cornice, &c.