Prof"li*gate, n. An abandoned
person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.
"Such a profligate as Antony." Swift.
Prof"li*gate (?), a. [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 wretch.
A 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 (?), v. t. To drive
away; to overcome. [A Latinism] [Obs.] Harvey.