Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROF'LI-GATE, a. [L. profligatus, profligo, to rout, to ruin; pro and fligo, to drive or dash. The word then signifies dashed, broken or ruined in morals. See Flog and Afflict.]

Abandoned to vice; lost to principle, virtue or decency; extremely vicious; shameless in wickedness; as, a profligate man or wretch. Next age will see / A race more profligate than we. – Roscommon. Made prostitute and profligate the muse, / Debas'd to each obscene and impious use. – Dryden.