prodigy
[prod-i-jee]
- a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability: a musical prodigy.
- a marvelous example (usually followed by of).
- something wonderful or marvelous; a wonder.
- something abnormal or monstrous.
- Archaic. something extraordinary regarded as of prophetic significance.
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Origin of prodigy
1425–75; late Middle English prodige < Latin prōdigium prophetic sign
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for prodigy
Contemporary Examples
Internet prodigy and Reddit founder Aaron Swartz committed suicide on Friday.
The twit, Guy Clinch, is the unlucky father of Marmaduke, an 18-month-old prodigy of domestic mayhem.
Prodigy likewise is relatively common in mathematics and the sciences.
Historical Examples
Was it possible that she herself was there, in the expectation of bringing about a prodigy?
The DreamEmile Zola
Although implored and hoped for, the prodigy did not appear, and the room was silent and anxious.
The DreamEmile Zola
Was the wonderful event about to take place, the prodigy she awaited?
The DreamEmile Zola
By a prodigy Guillaume was alive and already on his legs again.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
He prefers to frolic and philosophise with his prodigy on the sands.
The Book of KhalidAmeen Rihani
prodigy
- a person, esp a child, of unusual or marvellous talents
- anything that is a cause of wonder and amazement
- something monstrous or abnormal
- an archaic word for omen
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin prōdigium an unnatural happening, from pro- 1 + -igium, probably from āio I say
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for prodigy
n.
late 15c., "sign, portent, something extraordinary from which omens are drawn," from Latin prodigium "prophetic sign, omen, portent, prodigy," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + -igium, a suffix or word of unknown origin, perhaps from *agi-, root of aio "I say" (see adage). Meaning "child with exceptional abilities" first recorded 1650s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper