dots-menu
×

Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922.

Class V. Words Releasing to the Voluntary Powers
Division (II) Intersocial Volition
Section IV. Possessive Relations
4. Monetary Relations

818. Prodigality.

   NOUN:PRODIGALITY, prodigence [obs.], wastefulness, wastry or wastrie [Scot.], unthriftiness, waste; profusion, profuseness; extravagance; squandering &c. v.; lavishness.
  pound-foolishness, pound-folly, penny wisdom.
  PRODIGAL, spendthrift, wastethrift, wastrel [dial. Eng.], waster, high roller [slang, U. S.], squanderer, spender, spendall, scattergood [archaic]; locust; Prodigal Son; Timon of Athens.
   VERB:BE PRODIGAL &c. adj.; squander, lavish, sow broadcast; blow in [slang]; pay through the nose (dear) [See Dearness]; spill, waste, dissipate, exhaust, drain, eat out of house and home, overdraw, outrun the constable; run out, run through; misspend; throw good money after bad, throw the helve after the hatchet; burn the candle at both ends; make ducks and drakes of one’s money; fool -, potter -, muddle -, fritter -, throw- away one’s money; squander one’s substance in riotous living; spend money like water; pour water into a sieve, kill the goose that lays the golden eggs; manger son blé en herbe [F.].
   ADJECTIVE:PRODIGAL, profuse, thriftless, unthrifty, improvident, wasteful, losel, extravagant, lavish, dissipated, overliberal; full-handed (liberal) [See Liberality]; overpaid.
  penny-wise and pound-foolish.
   ADVERB:with an unsparing hand; money burning one’s pocket.
   INTERJECTION:keep the change! hang expense!    QUOTATIONS:
  1. Amor nummi.
  2. Facile largiri de alieno.
  3. Wie gewonnen so zerronnen.
  4. Les fous font les festins et les sages les mangent.
  5. Spendthrift alike of money and of wit.—Cowper
  6. Squandering wealth was his peculiar art.—Dryden
  7. How pleasant it is to have money!—Clough