I. ˈprä-di-gəl 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 ˌprä-də-ˈga-lə-tē noun
• prod·i·gal·ly ˈprä-di-g(ə-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1561
1. : one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly
2. : one who has returned after an absence