I. ˈprädə̇gəl, -dēg- adjective
Etymology: Latin prodig us prodigal (from prodigere to drive away, squander, from prod- — variant of pro- forward, forth — + -igere, from agere to drive) + English -al — more at pro- , agent
1. : given to reckless extravagance : unrestrained in spending or using up one's means
he had been prodigal with his money — Cliff Farrell
2. : characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish
make as much money as the most prodigal editors will give him — Harrison Smith
3. : profusely liberal : giving or yielding abundantly : luxuriant
the lush prodigal way in which the tropics announced spring — William Beebe
Synonyms: see profuse
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : one who spends or gives lavishly : one who is foolishly extravagant : spendthrift , squanderer
explained what a prodigal this was, what a waster — Francis Hackett
b. : a repentant wastrel
2. : one adjudged legally incompetent to manage his property or to incur debts because of a propensity to waste his capital
III. adverb
obsolete : prodigally
when the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vows — Shakespeare