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 ]

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. [ 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 ]

v. t. To squander. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. prodigentia, fr. prodigens, p. pr. of prodigere. See Prodigal. ] Waste; profusion; prodigality. [ R. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. prodigiosus, fr. prodigium a prodigy; cf. F. prodigieux. See Prodigy. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful; portentous. [ Obs. or R. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is prodigious to have thunder in a clear sky. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder. “Prodigious might.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Huge; enormous; monstrous; portentous; marvelous; amazing; astonishing; extraordinary. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Enormously; wonderfully; astonishingly; as, prodigiously great. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Very much; extremely; as, he was prodigiously pleased. [ Colloq. ] Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]