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. [ 1913 Webster ]

In fighting fields [ patriots ] were prodigal of blood. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Profuse; lavish; extravagant; squandering; wasteful. See Profuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prodigalité, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as a prodigal; to spend liberally. Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To expend lavishly. Ld. Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense; extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate prodigally dissipated. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nature not bounteous now, but lavish grows;
Our paths with flowers she prodigally strows. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]