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Profiled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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profiled

[ˈprəʊfaɪld ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

data analysis

To profile someone means to systematically collect and analyze information about them, often in the context of identifying characteristics, behaviors, and patterns. This term is commonly used in intelligence and law enforcement to describe the process of creating a descriptive analysis of individuals based on their background, habits, and actions. Profiling can also refer to the use of statistical techniques to predict outcomes or behaviors in various fields, such as marketing or psychology.

Synonyms

analyze, assess, characterize, evaluate.

Examples of usage

  • The detective profiled the suspect based on previous crimes.
  • The company profiled its customers to improve marketing strategies.
  • Law enforcement agencies often use profiling to allocate resources effectively.
Context #2 | Verb

computer science

In computer science, to profile refers to measuring resource usage of a program, such as CPU time, memory usage, and execution time. This process helps developers understand the performance of their applications and identify bottlenecks that need optimization. Profiling tools can provide various visualizations to assist in rewriting parts of the code to enhance efficiency.

Synonyms

benchmark, debug, measure.

Examples of usage

  • The programmer profiled the application to find performance issues.
  • Profiling tools revealed that the function was consuming too much memory.
  • He used a profiler to analyze the execution time of the algorithms.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Profiling is often used in psychology to understand behaviors or predict actions based on patterns.
  • Criminal profiling helps law enforcement to identify and apprehend suspects by analyzing behavioral patterns.
  • The concept of profiling can also apply in fields like marketing, to target specific audiences based on their preferences.

Pop Culture

  • Profiling features prominently in television shows such as 'Criminal Minds', where agents analyze and predict criminal behaviors.
  • In social media, 'profiling' has taken a different meaning, often related to how user data is gathered for targeted advertising.
  • Many movies depict detectives or spies creating profiles of characters to gain strategic advantages.

Ethics

  • Profiling can raise ethical concerns, particularly regarding discrimination based on race, gender, or socio-economic background.
  • There is ongoing debate about how to balance the benefits of profiling for security and its potential to harm individuals unfairly.
  • Efforts to implement fair profiling practices include ensuring data is used responsibly and transparently.

Technology

  • In the digital age, 'profiling' often refers to the data collected about users' online behaviors to improve services or marketing.
  • Machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to create profiles to predict user preferences in various apps and websites.
  • Privacy concerns over data profiling have led to calls for stricter regulations on how personal information is collected and used.

Origin of 'profiled'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'profile' comes from the Italian word 'profilo', meaning 'outline' or 'silhouette'.
  • The word evolved in the English language in the 17th century, initially referring to a drawing made of a person's side view.
  • In modern usage, 'profiled' can refer to gathering data about individuals for analysis.

The term 'profile' originates from the Italian word 'profilo,' which means 'outline' or 'shadow.' It was derived from the Latin 'profilare,' meaning 'to draw a line,' which captures the essence of creating a representation or outline of a person or object. The use of 'profiling' in various contexts began to take shape in the late 20th century, particularly within law enforcement circles when it became a tool to analyze behavioral patterns in criminal justice. As technology advanced, the concept of profiling broadened to include statistical analyses in computer science and marketing, where data-driven decision-making became paramount. The evolution of the word reflects the growing importance of data analysis in numerous fields.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,378, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.