gnomon vs profile

gnomon

noun
  • A number representing the increment between two figurate numbers (“numbers equal to the numbers of dots in geometric figures formed of dots”). 

  • A plane figure formed by removing a parallelogram from a corner of a larger parallelogram. 

  • An object such as a pillar or a rod that is used to tell time by the shadow it casts when the sun shines on it, especially the pointer on a sundial. 

  • An object such as a pillar used by an observer to calculate the meridian altitude of the sun (that is, the altitude of the sun when it reaches the observer's meridian), for the purpose of determining the observer's latitude. 

  • The index of the hour circle of a globe. 

profile

noun
  • The amount by which something protrudes. 

  • A specific page or field in which users can provide various types of personal information in software or Internet systems. 

  • A summary or collection of information, especially about a person 

  • A drawing exhibiting a vertical section of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work, as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions, grades, etc. 

  • An exemption from certain types of duties due to injury or disability. 

  • Reputation, prominence; noticeability. 

  • A smoothed (e.g., troweled or brushed) vertical surface of an excavation showing evidence of at least one feature or diagnostic specimen; the graphic recording of such as by sketching, photographing, etc. 

  • The shape, view, or shadow of a person's head from the side; a side view. 

  • Character; totality of related characteristics; signature; status (especially in scientific, technical, or military uses). 

  • The outermost shape, view, or edge of an object. 

  • A section of any member, made at right angles with its main lines, showing the exact shape of mouldings etc. 

verb
  • To measure the performance of various parts of (a program) so as to locate bottlenecks. 

  • To create a summary or collection of information about (a person, etc.). 

  • To give a definite form by chiselling, milling, etc. 

  • To act based on such a summary, especially one that is a stereotype; to engage in profiling. 

  • To draw in profile or outline. 

How often have the words gnomon and profile occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )