profitableness
(ˈprɒfɪtəb(ə)lnɪs)
[f. prec. + -ness.]
The quality of being profitable.
1. Advantageousness, usefulness, value, beneficial quality.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. v. (1495) g iv b/1 The curtel [of the eye] that hyghte Tela arenea, and hyght soo for prouffytablynes therof to be clere & briȝte to the spirite. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione i. v. 7 We owin in scriptures raþer to seke profitabilnes þan highnes of langage. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. xvi. 93 To the ende that the profitableness of this doctrine may be the better knowen. 1651 Cromwell Lett. 24 Mar. in Carlyle, To approve my heart and life to Him in more faithfulness and thankfulness, and to those I serve in more profitableness and diligence. 1824 Mrs. Sherwood Waste Not ii. 12 The profitableness of holiness, not only in the world to come, but also in this life. |
2. Remunerativeness, lucrativeness, gainfulness.
| 1886 H. Dunckley in Manch. Exam. 15 Feb. 6/1, I am speaking only of the profitableness of labour. 1892 J. J. Janney in A. E. Lee Hist. Columbus (Ohio) II. 314 Equal in..profitableness of operation to that of any city of equal population in the Union. |