Profit, n. — Webster enters it under “profit”
Etymology: [F., fr. L. profectus advance, progress, profit, fr. profectum. See Proficient.]
1. Acquisition beyond expenditure; excess of value received for producing, keeping, or selling, over cost; hence, pecuniary gain in any transaction or occupation; emolument; as, a profit on the sale of goods. Let no man anticipate uncertain profits. Rambler.
2. Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences; benefit; avail; gain; as, an office of profit, This I speak for your own profit. 1 Cor. vii. 35. If you dare do yourself a profit and a right. Shak.
Syn. -- Benefit; avail; service; improvement; advancement; gain; emolument.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Profit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Profited; p. pr. & vb. n. Profiting.]
To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit; to advantage; to avail; to aid; as, truth profits all men. The word preached did not profit them. Heb. iv. 2. It is a great means of profiting yourself, to copy diligently excellent pieces and beautiful designs. Dryden.
Profit, v. i.
1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to gain; to advance. I profit not by thy talk. Shak.
2. To be of use or advantage; to do or bring good. Riches profit not in the day of wrath. Prov. xi. 4.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists profits only as an antonym, under expense.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.