PRODIGAL


Meaning of PRODIGAL in English

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

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.