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Webster 1913 Edition

Prodigy

Prod′i-gy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Prodigies
(#)
.
[ L.
prodigium
;
pro
before + (perh.) a word appearing in
adagium
adage: cf. F.
prodige
. Cf.
Adage
. ]
1.
Something extraordinary, or out of the usual course of nature, from which omens are drawn; a portent;
as, eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed
prodigies
.
So many terrors, voices,
prodigies
,
May warn thee, as a sure foregoing sign.
Milton.
2.
Anything so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment; a marvel;
as, a
prodigy
of learning
.
3.
A production out of ordinary course of nature; an abnormal development; a monster.
B. Jonson.
Syn. – Wonder; miracle; portent; marvel; monster.

Webster 1828 Edition

Prodigy

PROD'IGY

,
Noun.
[L. prodigium, from prodigo, to shoot out, drive out, properly to spread to a great extent.
1.
Any thing out of the ordinary process of nature, as so extraordinary as to excite wonder or astonishment; as a prodigy of learning.
2.
Something extraordinary from which omens are drawn; portent. Thus eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed prodigies.
3.
A monster; an animal or other production out of the ordinary course of nature.

Definition 2024

prodigy

prodigy

English

Noun

prodigy ‎(plural prodigies)

  1. (now rare) An extraordinary thing seen as an omen; a portent. [from 15th c.]
    • 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society 2012, p. 87:
      John Foxe believed that special prodigies had heralded the Reformation.
  2. An extraordinary occurrence or creature; an anomaly, especially a monster; a freak. [from 16th c.]
  3. An amazing or marvellous thing; a wonder. [from 17th c.]
  4. A wonderful example of something. [from 17th c.]
  5. An extremely talented person, especially a child. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

See also

Etymology

Middle English prodige ‎(“portent”), from Latin prōdigium ‎(“omen, portent, prophetic sign”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɒdᵻdʒi/

Similar Results