Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Profuse
Pro-fuse′
,Adj.
[L.
profusus
, p. p. of profundere
to pour forth or out; pro
forward, forth + fundere
to pour: cf. F. profus
. See Fuse
to melt.] 1.
Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal; giving without stint;
as, a
profuse
government; profuse
hospitality.A green, shady bank,
profuse
of flowers. Milton.
2.
Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish;
“Profuse ornament.” as,
. profuse
expenditureKames.
Syn. – Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant.
– Profuse
, Lavish
, Prodigal
. Profuse denotes pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks, promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as, prodigal of one’s strength, life, or blood, to secure some object. Dryden.
Pro-fuse′
,Verb.
T.
To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to squander.
[Obs.]
Chapman.
Webster 1828 Edition
Profuse
PROFU'SE
,Adj.
1.
Lavish; liberal to excess; prodigal; as a profuse government; a profuse administration. Henry the eighth, a profuse king, dissipated the treasures which the parsimony of his father had amassed. A man's friends are generally too profuse of praise, and his enemies too sparing.2.
Extravagant; lavish; as profuse expenditures.3.
Overabounding; exuberant. On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers--
O liberty! thou goddess heavenly bright,
Profuse of bliss--
Profuse ornament in painting, architecture or gardening, as well as in dress or in language, shows a mean or corrupted taste.
PROFU'SE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To squander. [Little used.]