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11 results for: Prodigal

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
prod·i·gal    Audio Help   [prod-i-guhl] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure.
2.giving or yielding profusely; lavish (usually fol. by of or with): prodigal of smiles; prodigal with money.
3.lavishly abundant; profuse: nature's prodigal resources.
–noun
4.a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift.
[Origin: 1500–10; back formation from prodigality]

—Related forms
prod·i·gal·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. profligate. See lavish. 2, 3. copious, bounteous. 4. waster, wastrel.
—Antonyms 1. cautious, provident.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Prodigal

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source
prod·i·gal    Audio Help   (prŏd'ĭ-gəl)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
  1. Rashly or wastefully extravagant: prodigal expenditures on unneeded weaponry; a prodigal life.
  2. Giving or given in abundance; lavish or profuse: prodigal praise. See Synonyms at profuse.

n.   One who is given to wasteful luxury or extravagance.


[Probably back-formation from prodigality.]

prod'i·gal·ly adv.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source
prodigal 
c.1450, back-formation from prodigiality (1340), from O.Fr. prodigalite (13c.), from L.L. prodigalitatem (nom. prodigalitas) "wastefulness," from L. prodigus "wasteful," from prodigere "drive away, waste," from pro- "forth" + agere "to drive" (see act). First ref. is to prodigial son, from Vulgate L. filius prodigus (Luke xv.11-32).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source
prodigal

adjective
1. recklessly wasteful; "prodigal in their expenditures" [syn: extravagant] 

noun
1. a recklessly extravagant consumer 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source
prodigal [ˈprodigəl] adjective
spending (money etc) too extravagantly; wasteful
Arabic: مُسْرِف
Chinese (Simplified): 挥霍的，浪费的
Chinese (Traditional): 揮霍的，浪費的
Czech: marnotratný
Danish: ødsel
Dutch: kwistig
Estonian: priiskav
Finnish: tuhlaileva
French: prodigue
German: verschwenderisch
Greek: άσωτος
Hungarian: bőkezű, pazarló
Icelandic: hóflaus
Indonesian: boros
Italian: prodigo
Japanese: 浪費する
Korean: 낭비하는
Latvian: izšķērdīgs
Lithuanian: išlaidus
Norwegian: ødsel, sløsende
Polish: rozrzutny
Portuguese (Brazil): pródigo
Portuguese (Portugal): perdulário
Romanian: risipitor
Russian: расточительный
Slovak: márnotratný
Slovenian: zapravljiv
Spanish: pródigo
Swedish: slösaktig, rundhänt
Turkish: savurgan
See also: the prodigal son

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version), © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source

Prodigal

Prod"i*gal\, a. [L. prodigus, from prodigere to drive forth, to squander away; pro forward, forth + agere to drive; cf. F. prodigue. See Agent. ] Given to extravagant expenditure; expending money or other things without necessity; recklessly or viciously profuse; lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as, a prodigal man; the prodigal son; prodigal giving; prodigal expenses.

In fighting fields [patriots] were prodigal of blood. --Dryden.

Syn: Profuse; lavish; extravagant; squandering; wasteful. See Profuse.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source

Prodigal

Prod"i*gal\, n. One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure; a waster; a spendthrift. "Noble prodigals of life." --Trench.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source

Prodigal

Prod`i*gal"i*ty\, n. [F. prodigalit['e], L. prodigalitas. See Prodigal.] Extravagance in expenditure, particularly of money; excessive liberality; profusion; waste; -- opposed to frugality, economy, and parsimony."The prodigality of his wit." --Dryden.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source

Prodigal

Prod"i*gence\, n. [L. prodigentia, fr. prodigens, p. pr. of prodigere. See Prodigal. ] Waste; profusion; prodigality. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source

Prodigal

Pro*fuse"\, a. [L. profusus, p. p. of profundere to pour forth or out; pro forward, forth + fundere to pour: cf. F. profus. See Fuse to melt.]

1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse government; profuse hospitality.

A green, shady bank, profuse of flowers. --Milton.

2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament." --Kames.

Syn: Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant.

Usage: Profuse, Lavish, Prodigal. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. --Dryden.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

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