Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Profligate
Prof′li-gate
,Adj.
[L.
profligatus
, p. p. of profligare
to strike or dash to the ground, to destroy; pro
before + a word akin to fligere
to strike. See Afflict
.] 1.
Overthrown; beaten; conquered.
[Obs.]
The foe is
profligate
, and run. Hudibras.
2.
Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious; dissolute;
as,
. profligate
man or wretchA race more
profligate
than we. Roscommon.
Made prostitute and
profligate
muse. Dryden.
Syn. – Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved; vicious; wicked. See
Abandoned
. Prof′li-gate
,Noun.
An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.
“Such a profligate as Antony.” Swift.
Prof′li-gate
,Verb.
T.
To drive away; to overcome.
[A Latinism]
[Obs.]
Harvey.
Webster 1828 Edition
Profligate
PROF'LIGATE
,Adj.
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.
Made prostitute and profligate the muse,
Debas'd to each obscene and impious use.
PROF'LIGATE
,Noun.
How could such a profligate as Antony, or a boy of eighteen like Octavius,ever dare to dream of giving law to such an empire?
PROF'LIGATE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To overcome. [Not used.]Definition 2024
profligate
profligate
English
Adjective
profligate (comparative more profligate, superlative most profligate)
- Inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly.
- Immoral; abandoned to vice.
- Roscommon
- a race more profligate than we
- Dryden
- Made prostitute and profligate muse.
- Roscommon
- (obsolete) Overthrown, ruined.
- Hudibras
- The foe is profligate, and run.
- Hudibras
Synonyms
- (inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly): extravagant, wasteful, prodigal
- (immoral, abandoned to vice): immoral, licentious
- See also Wikisaurus:prodigal
Derived terms
Translations
inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly
|
immoral; abandoned to vice
|
|
Noun
profligate (plural profligates)
- An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.
- An overly wasteful or extravagant individual.
Synonyms
- (overly wasteful or extravagant individual): wastrel
- See also Wikisaurus:spendthrift and Wikisaurus:prodigal
Translations
abandoned person
|
overly wasteful or extravagant individual
Verb
profligate (third-person singular simple present profligates, present participle profligating, simple past and past participle profligated)
- (obsolete) To drive away; to overcome.
- 1840, Alexander Walker, Woman Physiologically Considered as to Mind, Morals, Marriage, Matrimonial Slavery, Infidelity and Divorce, page 157:
- Such a stipulation would remove one powerful temptation to profligate pennyless seducers, of whom there are too many prowling in the higher circles ;
- 1840, Alexander Walker, Woman Physiologically Considered as to Mind, Morals, Marriage, Matrimonial Slavery, Infidelity and Divorce, page 157:
Synonyms
- (to drive away; to overcome): overcome