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Webster 1913 Edition


Parsimonious

Parˊsi-mo′ni-ous

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
parcimonieux
. See
Parsimony
.]
Exhibiting parsimony; sparing in expenditure of money; frugal to excess; penurious; niggardly; stingy.
Parˊsi-mo′ni-ous-ly
,
adv.
Parˊsi-mo′ni-ous-ness
,
Noun.
A prodigal king is nearer a tyrant than a
parsimonious
.
Bacon.
Extraordinary funds for one campaign may spare us the expense of many years; whereas a long,
parsimonious
war will drain us of more men and money.
Addison.
Syn. – Covetous; niggardly; miserly; penurious; close; saving; mean; stingy; frugal. See
Avaricious
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Parsimonious

PARSIMO'NIOUS

,
Adj.
[See Parsimony.] Sparing in the use or expenditure of money; covetous; near; close. It differs from frugal, in implying more closeness or narrowness of mind, or an attachment to property somewhat excessive, or a disposition to spend less money that is necessary or honorable.
Extraordinary funds for one campaign may spare us the expense of many years; whereas a long parsimonious war will drain us of more men and money.
[It is sometimes used in a good sense for frugal.]

Definition 2024


parsimonious

parsimonious

English

Adjective

parsimonious (comparative more parsimonious, superlative most parsimonious)

  1. Exhibiting parsimony; sparing in expenditure of money; frugal to excess; penurious; niggardly; stingy.
  2. Using a minimal number of assumptions, steps, or conjectures.
  3. (sports) Not conceding many goals.
    • 2015 May 25, Daniel Taylor, “Norwich reach Premier League after early blitz sees off Middlesbrough”, in The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 1 November 2015:
      They played like a team that was in a hurry to get back to the Premier League. Norwich City had dismantled the most parsimonious defence in the Championship inside the opening quarter of an hour and at the final whistle it was the yellow end, rather than Middlesbrough’s banks of red, where the euphoria could be found.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:stingy

Translations