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Prodigal

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Festus says the Romans called victims wholly consumed by fire prodʹigœ hostiœ (victims prodigalised), and adds that those who waste their substance are therefore called prodigals. This derivation can hardly be considered correct. Prodigal is pro-ago or prod-igo (to drive forth), and persons who had spent all their patrimony were “driven forth” to be sold as slaves to their creditors.

Prodigal (The). Albert VI., Duke of Austria. (1418–1463.)

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Probate of a Will
Probe
Probole
Procès-Verbal
Procession of the Black Breeches
Proclaim on the Housetop
Proclivity
Procris
Procrustes Bed
Procrustean
Prodigal
Prodigy
Profane
Profile
Profound (The)
Prog
Progne or Prokne
Progress
Projection
Proletaire
Proletariat