prodigious, a. (adv.)
(prəʊˈdɪdʒəs)
[ad. L. prōdigiōs-us marvellous, prodigious: see prodigy and -ous. Cf. F. prodigieux (R. Estienne 1549).]
† 1. Of the nature of a prodigy; ominous, portentous. Obs.
| 1552 Huloet, Prodigious, prodigiosus. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. v. i. 419 Neuer mole, harelip, nor scarre, Nor marke prodigious,..Shall vpon their children be. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 224 It was alwaies taken for a monstrous and prodigious signe. 1663 J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 204 They carry a fair aspect toward the Prodigious Appearance in Heaven. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. I. 64 Many dreadful Signs of his Approach, prodigious Darkness and frightful Sights in the Heavens. |
2. Having the appearance of a prodigy; unnatural, abnormal.
| 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 119 As ther hath ben a prodigious Pasiphae, so there hath bene a godly Theocrita. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 625 Nature breeds, Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things... Gorgons and Hydra's, and Chimera's dire. 1687 De la Pryme Diary (Surtees) 10 It rained wheat..several granes of which were sent as miraculous and prodigious presents to several gentlemen about us. 1728 Morgan Algiers I. vi. 190 The Arch-Angel Gabriel assuming a prodigious Form, descended. 1819 Shelley Cenci iii. i. 52 Prodigious mixtures, and confusions strange Of good and ill. |
3. Causing wonder or amazement; marvellous, amazing; (in a bad sense) monstrous.
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 390 He by his euill counsaile and prodigious suggestions, craftilye circumuented the king. 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 25 The gentlemen after a new prodigious manner attired themselues like vnto the Castillians. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. Ep. Ded., And with a drawn Sword declare prodigious Principles of Enmitie against the Rights and Liberties of England. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) I. 82 It was thought prodigious..to run 1140 Stadia..in the space of two days. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 374 The spirit of composition, the manner of grouping and colouring, the general effect of the whole, [is] prodigious! 1871 Tylor Prim. Cult. I. viii. 249 Why..are the gods and giants and monsters no longer seen to lead their prodigious lives on earth? |
4. Of extraordinarily large size, extent, power, or amount; vast, enormous. (Often hyperbolical.)
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 368 A fruit..answerable to the mightie, huge, and prodigious tree that beareth it. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Suffolk (1662) ii. 71 He left five thousand Marks, a prodigious sum in that age, to charitable uses. 1667 Milton P.L. vi. 247 Satan, who that day Prodigious power had shewn. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth iii. i. (1723) 172 The Andes, that prodigious Chain of Mountains in South America. 1722 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) VII. 381 The other Bones are of a prodigious Size. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) III. vii. 414 The prodigious regard which was shown to the Greek physicians. 1846 Dickens Lett. (1880) I. 167 They were in prodigious spirits and delight. 1868 Lyell Princ. Geol. (ed. 10) II. ii. xxxiii. 214 The prodigious volume of atmospheric water which must be absorbed into the interior. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 200 At great depths, the pressure must be prodigious. |
b. As an exclamation: ‘Monstrous’, ‘astounding’.
| 1730 Fielding Coffee Ho. Polit. iii. v, Constant.—‘Prodigious!’..‘What in the Devil's Name hath brought thee to the Constable's?’ 1735 Pope Donne Sat. iv. 255 Let but the Ladies smile, and they are blest: Prodigious! how the things protest, protest. 1815 Scott Guy M. viii, The good Dominie bore all his disasters with gravity and serenity equally imperturbable. ‘Pro-di-gi-ous!’ was the only ejaculation they ever extorted from the much-enduring man. |
B. quasi-adv. = prodigiously; amazingly; wonderfully; exceedingly; ‘mightily’. Now vulgar.
| 1676 Wood Jrnl. in Acc. Sev. Late Voy. i. (1694) 190 The Sea running prodigious high. 1717 S. Centlivre Bold Stroke for Wife ii. i, This snuff is extremely good,—and the box prodigious fine. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 596 Contradictions become elegance and propriety of language; for a thing may be..vastly little, monstrous pretty,..prodigious natural, or devilish godly. 1804 E. de Acton Tale without Title I. 51 A prodigious high hill fronting the western tower. |