professional (ss as sh)

& 8. [Eng. pro fe ion; al.] A. As adjective : 1. Of, or pertaining to, a profe ion or calling. rather than scient in profesional knowledge was practi their profe ional knowledge was practical 2. Engaged in or practicing a particular profes sion. "Again, the merely profe ional man is always a narrow man."-Burroughs: Pepacton , p. 30. 3. Contended in by profe ionals. "A profe ional foot race."- Field , Oct. 3, 1885. B. As subst.: Generally one who follows or belongs to a profe ion; more commonly applied, in contradistinction to "amateur," to a person who makes his living by practicing an art or occupation in which nonprofe ionals also engage; more specifically, a person who practices an art, occupation, or sport for a living, as distinguished from one who engages in them merely for pleasure. Generally applied to profe ional music ans, singers, actors, rowers, cricketers, and the like.