Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROD'I-GAL, a. [Fr. prodigue; Sp. and It. prodigo; from L. prodigus, from prodigo, to drive forth, to lavish. The last component part of the word is ago, to drive; the first I suppose to be prod, the original word, afterward contracted to pro. See Pro. The Welsh bradyn, a prodigal, if from the Latin, is doubtless of the same origin; but Owen deduces this from brad, a breaking, treachery, treason, and this coincides with Dan. bryder, to break. See Brittle.]

1. Given to extravagant expenditures; expending money or other things without necessity; profuse; lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as, a prodigal man; the prodigal son. A man may be prodigal of his strength, of his health, of his life or blood, as well as of his money.
2. Profuse; lavish; expended to excess or without necessity; as, prodigal expenses.
3. Very liberal; profuse. Nature is prodigal of her bounties.