Pro*fuse" (?), v. t. To pour out; to give or spend
liberally; to lavish; to squander. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Pro*fuse" (?), a. [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; as, profuse expenditure. "Profuse ornament."
Kames.
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.
Hear it pronounced