n. [ Cf. Gael. & Ir. brod goad, prickle, sting, and E. brad, also W. procio to poke, thrust. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a goad, an awl, a skewer, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A prick or stab which a pointed instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A light kind of crossbow; -- in the sense, often spelled prodd. Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prodded p. pr. & vb. n. Prodding. ] To thrust some pointed instrument into; to prick with something sharp; as, to prod a soldier with a bayonet; to prod oxen; hence, to goad, to incite, to worry; as, to prod a student. H. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A crossbow. See Prod, 3. [ 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 ]

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 ]