28 July 2013

profligate

[prof-li-git, -geyt]

adjective

1. utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute.
2. recklessly prodigal or extravagant.
noun
3. a profligate person.
Origin:
1525–35; < Latin prōflīgātus broken down in character, degraded, orig. past participle of prōflīgāre to shatter, debase, equivalent to prō- pro-1 + -flīgāre, derivative of flīgere to strike; see inflict, -ate1

Related forms
prof·li·gate·ly, adverb
prof·li·gate·ness, noun

Synonyms
1. abandoned, licentious.

Today’s aphorism

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.

– Sholom Aleichem

On this day

28 July 1902 – birth of Albert Namatjira, Australian Aboriginal artist. Died 8 August 1959.

28 July 1586 – the humble and versatile potato introduced to the British Isles by Sir Thomas Harriot after it was brought to Europe from the Americas by the Spanish.

28 July 1866 – the United States recognises the metric system as a valid means of measurement.

28 July 1900 – Louis Lassing of Connecticut invents the hamburger.

28 July 1902 – birth of Albert Namatjira, Australian Aboriginal artist. Died 8 August 1959.

28 July 1914 – start of World War I.

28 July 1928 – IX Olympiad opens in Amsterdam