Prodigal
['prɒdɪg(ə)l] or ['prɑdɪɡl]
Definition
(a.) 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.
(n.) One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure; a waster; a spendthrift.
Checked by Danny
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Wasteful, lavish, extravagant, profuse, too liberal.
n. Spendthrift, waster, squanderer.
Checker: Lorrie
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Lavish, profuse, extravagant, reckless, wasteful, squandering, improvident
ANT:Frugal, saving, hoarding, economical, niggardly, miserly, close, closefisted
Checker: McDonald
Definition
adj. spending without necessity: wasteful: lavish: profuse.—n. one who throws away without necessity: a waster: a spendthrift.—v.t. Prod′igalise Prod′igāte to spend lavishly waste.—n. Prodigal′ity state or quality of being prodigal: extravagance: profusion: great liberality.—adv. Prod′igally wastefully.
Typed by Dominic
Examples
- Falsehoods and illusions ascend to take their place; the prodigal goes back into the country of the Lotophagi or drones, and openly dwells there. Plato. The Republic.
- Prodigal--prodigal son, Sir,' suggested Mr. Pell, mildly. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The prodigal perverts it in this manner: By not confining his expense within his income, he encroaches upon his capital. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Now you prodigal old son,' said Jenny, shaking her head and her emphatic little forefinger at her burden, 'you sit there till I come back. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- When the Prodigal traveled to a far country, it is not likely that he went more than eighty or ninety miles. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- I have not seen my mother this long time, and it lies upon my conscience, for it's something to be loved as she loves her prodigal son. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The Parisienne, on the other hand, was prodigal and profligate (in disposition, that is: as to action, I do not know). Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- We can, in short, see why nature is prodigal in variety, though niggard in innovation. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- A tender laugh of benevolence lighted up old Dobbin's face and eyes as he looked at the repentant little prodigal. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Oh, you prodigal old son! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Shall the daughter of the noble, though prodigal Zaimi, appear a beggar before her compeers or inferiors--superiors she had none. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Only a very faint bending of the head-dress and plumes welcomed Rawdon and his wife, as those prodigals returned to their family. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Inputed by Lawrence