prodigy

The story

1. Latin · derived fromprōdigium“omen, portent, prophetic sign”
2. Middle English · inherited fromprodige“portent”
3. English todayprodigy

From Middle English prodige (“portent”), from Latin prōdigium (“omen, portent, prophetic sign”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. An extraordinary occurrence or creature; an anomaly, especially a monster; a freak.
• from 17th c. An amazing or marvellous thing; a wonder.
• from 17th c. A wonderful example of something.
• from 17th c. An extremely talented person, especially a child.
• from 15th c. An extraordinary thing seen as an omen; a portent.