n.
Pronunciation: ' prä-di-g ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive ― more at PRO- , AGENT
Date: 15th century
1 : characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : LAVISH <a prodigal feast> < prodigal outlays for her clothes>
2 : recklessly spendthrift <the prodigal prince>
3 : yielding abundantly : LUXURIANT ― often used with of <nature has been so prodigal of her bounty ― H. T. Buckle>
synonyms see PROFUSE
– prod · i · gal · i · ty \ ˌ prä-d ə - ' ga-l ə -t ē \ noun
– prod · i · gal · ly \ ' prä-di-g( ə -)l ē \ adverb