
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;
In fighting fields [ patriots ] were prodigal of blood. Dryden. [ 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
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;
Nature not bounteous now, but lavish grows;
Our paths with flowers she prodigally strows. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]