GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
    Economic (?; 277), Economical (?),  a. [F. économique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr.  economical. See Economy.]
   1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. “In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]”  Milton.
   
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   2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs.
   
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   And doth employ her economic art
   
   And busy care, her household to preserve. Sir J. Davies.
   
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   3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits.
   
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   Just rich enough, with economic care,
   
   To save a pittance. Harte.
   
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   4. Managed with frugality; not marked with waste or extravagance; using the minimum of time or effort or resources required for effectiveness; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, “an economical use of money or of time; an economic use of home heating oil”. [wns=3]
   
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   5. of or pertaining to the national or regional economy; relating to political economy; relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to the production or consumption of goods and services of a nation or region; as, “economic growth; economic purposes; economical truths; an economic downturn.”
   
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   These matters economical and political. J. C. Shairp.
   
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   There was no economical distress in England to prompt the enterprises of colonization. Palfrey.
   
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   Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes, lands, and the employment of the people. H. C.  Baird.
   
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   6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end.  Grew.
   
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   7. of or pertaining to economics. economic theory
   
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   8.  profitable.  Opposite of uneconomic. [wns=4]
   
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   9.  avoiding waste; as, “an economical meal”.  Opposite of wasteful.
   
   Syn. -- frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting, thrifty.
   
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   ☞ Economical is the usual form when meaning frugal, saving; economic is the form commonly used when meaning pertaining to the management of a household, or of public affairs.
   
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