— lavisher , n. — lavishly , adv. — lavishness , n.
/lav"ish/ , adj.
1. expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion: lavish spending.
2. using or giving in great amounts; prodigal (often fol. by of ): lavish of his time; lavish of affection.
v.t.
3. to expend or give in great amounts or without limit: to lavish gifts on a person.
[ 1425-75; late ME lavas profusion (n.), profuse (adj.) lavasse downpour of rain, deriv. of laver to wash lavare ]
Syn. 1, 2. unstinted, extravagant, wasteful, improvident; generous, openhanded. LAVISH, PRODIGAL, PROFUSE refer to that which exists in abundance and is poured out copiously. LAVISH suggests (sometimes excessive) generosity and openhandedness: lavish hospitality; much too lavish. PRODIGAL suggests wastefulness, improvidence, and reckless impatience of restraint: a prodigal extravagance. PROFUSE emphasizes abundance, but may suggest overemotionalism, exaggeration, or the like: profuse thanks, compliments, apologies. 3. heap, pour; waste, squander, dissipate.
Ant. 1, 2. niggardly.