An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An occupation, especially one that requires prolonged training and a formal qualification.

Etymology (EN): From M.E., from O.Fr. profession, from L. professionem “public declaration,” from professus “having declared publicly,” ultimately from → pro- “forth” + fateri “to acknowledge, confess.”

Etymology (PE): Pišé “profession, job,” from Mid.Pers. pêšak “profession, job, work; class, group;” Av. pištra- “occupation; class, group,” from paēs- “to paint; to adorn,” paēsa- “adornment;” Mid.Pers. pēsīdan “to adorn;” O.Pers. pais- “to adorn, cut, engrave;” Mid.Pers. bišt-, bis- (nibištan, nibes- “to write”), Mod.Pers -vis, -veš (in nevis-, neveštan “to write”), pisé “variegated;” cf. Skt. piśáti “adorns; cuts;” Gk. poikilos “multicolored;” L. pingit “embroiders, paints;” O.C.S. pisati “to write;” O.H.G. fēh “multicolored;” Lith. piēšti “to draw, adorn;” PIE base *peik- “colored, speckled.”