economicaladj.
/ˌiːkəˈnɒmᵻkl/, /ˌɛkəˈnɒmᵻkl/, U.S. /ˌɛkəˈnɑmək(ə)l/, /ˌikəˈnɑmək(ə)l/ 1.
a. Relating to household management, esp. as regards the proper organization of domestic resources; resembling what obtains in a household, domestic. Cf. economic adj. 1. Now rare.
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society > authority > control > [adjective] > relating to management or administration > relating to household management
economicalc1487
economic1599
notable1787
c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus Bibliotheca Historica iii. 184 Many fruytes there [sc. in Ynde] grow of theire owne nature without tilthe or any other labour iconomycall [L. cum & sua sponte nascantur fructus].
1579 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 61 The other œconomical matter you wotte of.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 523 Oeconomicall science, that is..the art of ruling a house well.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 6 Those priuate vertues..concerne his economicall administration.
a1653 R. Filmer Patriarcha (1680) ii. §2 Adam had only economical power, but not political.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man i. iv. §1. 425 Œconomical Convenience first determined the Ratio's of Doors, Windows, etc.
1857 J. G. Holland Bay-path iii. 36 She believed that her special duties pertained to the good ordering of the house, the economical administration of the kitchen and the wardrobe.
1922 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 30 Oct. 10/6 You can spend an hour or so pleasantly and profitably here where clothes cleaning has been reduced to an economical science.
b. Relating to (personal) monetary circumstances, financial. Cf. economic adj. 1b.
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society > trade and finance > management of money > [adjective]
financial1734
financical1776
economical1795
fiscal1865
1795 J. Farington Diary 12 Feb. (1978) II. 305 France, where He went to reside with his family from œconomical motives.
1825 T. Carlyle Life Schiller App. 328 My economical circumstances render it impossible for me to travel much.
1951 Lowell (Mass.) Sun 22 Oct. 1/3 Placing an additional tax on the people is not going to help the economical situation of those who have to work for a living.
1987 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 16 Mar. 8/6 Thirty years ago it never would have occured [sic] to young men of the same age to indulge in self-pity to that extent to regret the economical circumstances of their birth.
2. † b. More generally: relating to or characteristic of the organization and management of any complex unity, esp. one likened to a family. Cf. economy n. 8. Obsolete.
a. Theology. Relating to the method of divine government of the world, spec. a dispensation suited to the needs of a particular nation or period of time. Cf. economic adj. 2a and economy n. 5b.
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1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. II. iv. iii. sig. Ddd.viiv/1 The Trinitie..doth defend the Oiconomical state, that is, the mysterie of the dispensation [L. Trinitas..οικονομιας statum (id est, dispensationis mysterium) protegit].
1646 Burd. Issachar in Phenix (1708) II. 265 This Sanhedrim is Christ's Vicegerent in his oeconomical Kingdom.
1703 J. Maxwell Presbytery Display'd 21 That legislative Power Christ hath entrusted them with in his œconomical Kingdom.
a1726 W. Reeves 14 Serm. (1729) 171 When the..Son of God had served the prophetic and priestly parts of his œconomical charge.
1767 J. Parsons Remains of Japhet i. 10 We see also in every ordination of God, whether physical or œconomical, the most consummate wisdom in the distribution of the necessary incidents for the progress of his divine purposes.
1845 G. S. Faber Eight Diss. I. i. iii. 37 The economical office of the Word..is to declare the Father to his creatures.
1874 H. U. Weitbrecht tr. T. Christlieb Mod. Doubt & Christian Belief 256 Those who regard the divine persons as mere economical manifestations of the Holy One in his Relation to ourselves.
1909 Harvard Theol. Rev. 2 321 A sharp distinction is often drawn between the economical and the ontological trinity.
2004 R. E. Olson Westm. Handbk. Evangelical Theol. 279 Regarded as distinct persons; Immanent and eternal, not merely economical or historical.
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1670 E. Maynwaring Vita Sana & Longa (new ed.) iii. 40 The Oeconomical harmony is disturbed.
1761 R. Dossie Theory & Pract. Chirurg. Pharmacy 167 It has, also, a discutient quality, where the cause of tumours is, langour of the vital or œconomical action of the parts affected.
3.
a. Characterized by or tending to economy in the use of resources; not wasteful, sparing; (of a person) saving, thrifty. Cf. economic adj. 3a and economy n. 6.
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the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [adjective] > thrifty or economical
housewifely1526
thrifty1526
compendious1584
economical1601
stewardly1746
managing1753
economic1755
1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Commerce 57 This stinting is not a restraint or limitation of the Cloth marked..but rather an œconomicall, and discreet partition, or apportioning among the members.
1780 E. Burke Speech Econ. Reform 17 An œconomical constitution is a necessary basis for an œconomical administration.
1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon Concl. 463 Baiting..in the manner performed on the continent, is an infinitely more economical and facile mode of administering refreshment to a jaded animal.
1837 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece IV. xxxii. 228 The more economical application of the public revenue.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 259 The use of animal flesh..as a principal article of diet..is very far from being economical.
1878 W. S. Jevons Polit. Econ. 89 He will not work in an economical way.
1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 92 Illustrative of his economical habits.
1901 G. W. Peck Peck's Red-headed Boy iii. 18 This rich old Jew..who has been economical until he has got a million and is residing on easy street.
1922 Woman's World (Chicago) Nov. 45 Modish Frocks in Economical Patterns.
1940 G. H. J. Adlam & L. S. Price Higher School Certificate Inorg. Chem. (ed. 2) xxvi. 222 This process is economical only for lead which is rich in silver; it is therefore necessary to enrich the alloy by raising the silver content before cupellation.
1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) III. 447/2 The most economical means for lowering articles and materials is by gravity conveyors.
1978 J. Lees-Milne Diary 26 Apr. in Through Wood & Dale (2001) 250 He is not very articulate, and I being deaf found it hard to hear what he said. His voice trails off. He is economical with his words.
1980 Time Mag. 13 Oct. k20 Bradbury's spare, economical style reveals the consummate storyteller.
2007 Astron. & Geophysics Feb. 21/1 Cloud forcing is by far the most economical explanation of the anomaly on all timescales.
b. That may be maintained on a profitable footing; repaying (at least) the expenses of operation or use; = economic adj. 3b; (by extension) representing good value for money with regard to expenditure or use of resources; cost-efficient; (more generally) not expensive. Cf. uneconomical adj.
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society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [adjective] > profitable
winning1435
lucrous1511
beneficial1526
lucrative1526
gainful1561
profitful1568
gainsome1579
profiting1590
requiteful1607
pennisome1631
lucriferous1648
opulent1648
emolumental1664
quick1681
well-metalleda1734
pay-rent1742
profitable1758
emolumentary1775
remunerative1813
economical1815
repaying1820
well-paying1832
benefited1837
paying1841
payable1855
money-making1887
economic1899
bankable1927
megadollar1963
money-spinning1973
1815 S. Parkes Chem. Catech. I. 300 In the end they [sc. ash-pit doors] will be found to be more economical than any ready-make sale-doors.
1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 115/1 Where hay is scarce, carrots form a very economical substitute; they must be kept in dry root-houses or in trenches.
1905 T. Casson Pedal Organ 27 The borrowing must be economical; that is, it must cost less in room or money, or both, than actual independent pipes.
1917 H. B. Twyford Purchasing & Storing 325 It is not economical to carry in stock several variations of articles of a similar nature.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 120/1 (advt.) I have never driven such an economical car. Why, I'm getting over 22 miles to the gallon—that's 9 miles more than my old car gave me.
1954 F. L. Wright Natural House ii. 159 A white-top is economical partly because white, of course, reflects heat rather than absorbs it.
1970 Which? Aug. 252/1 If you are going to shampoo your carpet only now and then..a cheap aerosol would be most economical.
1985 R. Fernandez Malaysian Cookery 235 A delicious accompaniment to vegetarian menu of lentil curry, rice, rasam and pickles—economical yet nutritionally complete.
2001 Beef Jan. 28 (advt.) Because calves recover faster, it's more economical to use than other rehydrant products.
4.
a. Relating to or concerned with the development and regulation of the material resources of a community or state; = economic adj. 4a; (also) relating to political economy. Cf. economy n. 1 and politico-economical adj.
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society > trade and finance > management of money > [adjective] > relating to political economy
economical1781
politico-economicala1790
politico-economic1839
society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [adjective]
economical1781
politico-economicala1790
economic1815
politico-economic1839
plutonomic1860
economistic1873
plutological1920
1758 R. Dossie Handmaid to Arts I. p. vi Several circumstances both of our œconomical and political condition..are depriving us of the share we had of the grosser manufactures that depend on labour.]
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xxxi. 173 The economical writers of antiquity..recommend the former method.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 117 Commerce..and manufacture, the gods of our œconomical politicians, are themselves perhaps but creatures. View more context for this quotation
1819 Times 6 Mar. 2/3 There never was a tax more opposite to the principles of economical science.
1878 J. Morley Condorcet 43 Why did not France sink under her economical disorders?
1920 F. Pokorný & P. Selver (title) The Czechoslovak Republic, its economical, industrial and cultural resources.
1945 A. Koestler Yogi & Commissar iii. iii. 215 Europe east of the Alps is atomized and in a state of political, economical, ideological chaos.
1992 Moneyclips (Nexis) 15 Apr. Mr Pavec holds a masters degree in law, a post graduate diploma in political economy, and in economical sciences.
2006 BusinessWorld (Philippines) (Nexis) 12 June s1/7 Many Italian companies are a little bit shy or not courageous enough to come here because of the political and economical situation.
b. Relating to the generation of income; maintained for the sake of profit. Now rare.
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1789 A. Young Jrnl. 25 Oct. in Trav. France (1792) i. 211 He had the direction..of the œconomical garden.
1822 T. Webster Imison's Elem. Sci. & Art (new ed.) II. 28 Many very important applications of this principle have been made by Count Rumford to œconomical purposes.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits v. 99 Bakewell, created..breeds in which every thing was omitted but what is economical.
1902 Atlanta (Georgia) Constit. 24 May 4/6 The idea of planting trees for economical purposes, or with a view to profit, did not develop until a much later period.
1990 Modesto (Calif.) Bee (Nexis) 19 Apr. (Sports section) c1 The fence also serves an economical purpose—advertisements pump at least $3,200 into the school each year.
c. Of a subject of study: = economic adj. 4b. Now rare.
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1804 R. Jameson (title) System of mineralogy, comprehending oryctognosie, geognosie, mineralogical chemistry, mineralogical geography, and œconomical mineralogy... Vol. I.
1838 E. Hitchcock (title) Report on a Re-examination of the Economical Geology of Massachusetts.
1869 Amer. Naturalist 3 151 The Noxious Insects of Missouri.—This first report of the State Entomologist is exceedingly creditable both to the author and the State which has so liberally fostered the study of economical entomology.
1874 R. Brown Man. Bot. ii. iv. 217 Resins..are found in many plants mixed with volatile oils, along with colouring matters of various kinds, the nature of which..belongs to the department of the chemist and of economical botany, rather than to a treatise of this nature.
1925 E. G. Mountford & J. H. Paxton tr. L. Febvre Geogr. Introd. Hist. iv. 295 In principle there is no need, then, to construct a geography of States distinct from economical geography, which itself is closely connected with physical geography.
1982 Taxon 31 787 Contains 32 papers, mainly on Indian systematic, ecological or economical botany.
5. Characterized by or displaying ‘economy’ or judicious selection with regard to the presentation (Theology) of doctrine or (more generally) of the truth. Now chiefly in to be economical with (also of) (the) truth at Phrases. Cf. economic adj. 3c. See etymological note at economy n. for an explanation of the development from theological to more general use.
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society > faith > aspects of faith > doctrine > [adjective] > economic
economical1833
economic1851
1833 J. H. Newman Arians 4th Cent. 80 Careful ever to maintain substantial truth in our use of the economical method.
1864 J. H. Newman Apologia 386 She observes no half-measures, no economical reserve.
1992 C. Chambers Uncertain Terms (1993) x. 79 A plausible lie was nothing but an economical short-cut, far simpler than justifying her right to a little independence.
Phrases
to be economical with (also of) (the) truth: euphemistic to be partially or wholly untruthful; to (deliberately) mislead; to misrepresent the facts of a matter; cf. economy of truth n. at economy n. Phrases 1.
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1848 Watertown (Wisconsin Territory) Chron. 16 Feb. If Rumor..has not been unusually economical of truth, the books of the Treasury have long shown that there is ‘something rotten’ nearer home than ‘Denmark’.
1857 Harper's Mag. Nov. 853/2 He is certainly more economical of the truth than any other lawyer on the circuit!
1932 H. C. Bailey Case for Mr. Fortune iii. 127 ‘I've..made him admit he had heard talk of turning the firm into a trust.’ ‘Oh, yes. I thought he was being very economical with the truth.’
1967 P. A. Brunt & J. M. Moore Res Gestae Diui Augustus 48 [He] claimed to have held the power for ten consecutive years. Even that claim is somewhat economical of the truth.
1970 Times 4 June 10/1 He told a small audience that Mr. Jenkins, Chancellor of the Exchequer, was economical with truth.
2005 T. Hall Salaam Brick Lane i. 13 Now I had to decide whether to come clean or to continue being economical with the truth.
Compounds
economical man n. Economics = economic man n. at economic n. and adj. Compounds.
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1821 C. R. Prinsep tr. J.-B. Say Treat. Polit. Econ. II. iii. v. 258 The economical man [Fr. une personne économe] balances his means against his present or future wants, and those of his family and friends, not forgetting the calls of humanity.
1880 W. Bagehot Econ. Stud. ii. 83 The nature of the ‘man’ who first occupied new countries did not ‘conform’ to the standard of economical man; the being of reality was not the being of the hypothesis. The first men..nearly approached in nature to the present savage man... They could not make any of the articles which we now call ‘wealth’.
1973 Boundary 2 1 616 Confessional poetry is the epic of what Hannah Arendt calls the economical man whose value frame extends only to the field of his domestic existence.
2000 Systems Res. & Behavioral Sci. (Nexis) 17 433 On the other hand [you have] refined mathematical macroeconomic models built on the reduction called ‘economical man’.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.c1487