| 释义 |
prod·i·gal
I. \ˈprädə̇gəl, -dēg-\ adjective
Etymology: Latin prodigus 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 > |