prodigality
(prɒdɪˈgælɪtɪ)
[ME. prodigalite, a. F. prodigalité (13th c. in Littré), ad. med.L. prōdigālitās (Boeth.), f. *prōdigālis: see prodigal.]
The quality of being prodigal.
1. Reckless extravagance in expenditure, wastefulness: a. of material things, especially of money.
| 1340 Ayenb. 21 Fol niminge of greate spendinge, þet me clepeþ prodigalité. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4592 By whiche he cured is of þe seekenesse Of prodigalitee, or fool largesse. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. ccix. 222 This kyng..was of suche prodegalytie, that his bourdes & tabylles of his courte were spred .iiii. tymes in the day. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark xiv. 84 The losse of this oyntment greued them so muche, that they made a great murmuryng agaynst the godly prodigalitie of the woman. 1622 Malynes Anc. Law Merch. 481 Cæsar notwithstanding all his prodigalities, brought to the treasurie fortie millions of Crownes. a 1716 [see prodigal a. 1]. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. x. iii. 433 Sháh Jehán..The most striking instance of his pomp and prodigality was his construction of the famous peacock throne. |
b. of immaterial things.
| 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 89 ¶4 This invisible riot of the mind, this secret prodigality of being. 1846 Trench Mirac. Introd. iv. (1862) 48 There is..an entire absence of prodigality in the use of miracles. 1860–2 Milman in Proc. Roy. Soc. XI. p. xx, In other departments of poetry he [Macaulay] might have been endangered by his affluence and prodigality. |
2. Lavishness, profuseness; lavish display, profuse supply.
| 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. ii. 244 A sweeter, and a louelier Gentleman, Fram'd in the prodigallity of Nature..The spacious World cannot againe affoord. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. iii. 45 To drink of the ashes of dead relations [seems] a passionate prodigality. 1832 Lytton Eugene A. i. xi, Merry fellows..; you must take care of the prodigality of their wine. 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 144 That wondrous wealth and prodigality of perfect weather. |