Profligately: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'profligatus', which means to be wasted or squandered.
• Originally, it referred to being thrown down or overthrown, connecting to the idea of downfall through wastefulness.
• The prefix 'pro-' means 'forward' while 'fligare' means 'to strike down', combining to suggest a forward movement towards waste.

Literature

• In literature, characters who act profligately often face tragic consequences, highlighting moral lessons about the dangers of excess.
• Classic works like F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' portray characters engaging in profligate lifestyles that lead to their defeat.
• The term can be used to describe the lush and often wasteful revelries depicted in works of romantic poetry.

Cultural Context

• In modern discussions of economics, profligate spending is often criticized, especially in political contexts regarding national budgets.
• Cultural commentators frequently address the balance between hedonism and responsibility, using profligate behavior as a case study.
• Historical societies have often revered or condemned profligate living based on prevailing ethics and economic conditions.

Psychology

• Profligate behaviors may be linked to impulsive personality traits, where individuals struggle with delayed gratification.
• Research suggests that some profligate spending is driven by emotional factors, often reflecting underlying issues such as anxiety or low self-esteem.
• Cognitive dissonance plays a role, where individuals rationalize wasteful behavior despite potential negative outcomes.

Environmental Concerns

• Profligate consumption is often at odds with sustainable practices, leading to calls for more mindful resource use.
• Environmental activists focus on the reduction of profligate habits as a way to combat climate change and waste management issues.
• The term is increasingly used in discussions about overconsumption and its impact on the planet's resources.

At position #42,296, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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• 42293 penumbrae
• 42294 headhunted
• 42295 pillager
• 42296 profligately
• 42297 dissolutely
• 42298 rowdiest
• 42299 squeamishly
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