eco·nom·i·cal /-ˈnɑmɪkəl/
(a.)節儉的,經濟的,合算的
E·co·nom·ic E·co·nom·ic·al a.
1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. “In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]”
2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs.
And doth employ her economic art
And busy care, her household to preserve. --Sir J. Davies.
3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits.
Just rich enough, with economic care,
To save a pittance. --Harte.
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]
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.
These matters economical and political. --J. C. Shairp.
There was no economical distress in England to prompt the enterprises of colonization. --Palfrey.
Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes, lands, and the employment of the people. --H. C. Baird.
6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end.
Note: ☞ 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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economical
adj 1: using the minimum of time or resources necessary for
effectiveness; "an economic use of home heating oil";
"a modern economical heating system"; "an economical
use of her time" [syn: economic]
2: of or relating to an economy, the system of production and
management of material wealth; "economic growth"; "aspects
of social, political, and economical life" [syn: economic]
3: avoiding waste; "an economical meal"; "an economical
shopper"; "a frugal farmer"; "a frugal lunch"; "a sparing
father and a spending son"; "sparing in their use of heat
and light"; "stinting in bestowing gifts"; "thrifty
because they remember the great Depression"; "`scotch' is
used only informally" [syn: frugal, scotch, sparing,
stinting]