of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth; "economic growth"; "aspects of social, political, and economical life"
2.
of or relating to the science of economics; "economic theory"
3.
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"
4.
concerned with worldly necessities of life (especially money); "he wrote the book primarily for economic reasons"; "gave up the large house for economic reasons"; "in economic terms they are very privileged"
5.
financially rewarding; "it was no longer economic to keep the factory open"; "have to keep prices high enough to make it economic to continue the service"
E`co*nom"ic\ (?; 277), Economical \E`co*nom"ic*al\, a. [F. ['e]conomique, L. oeconomicus orderly, methodical, Gr. ? economical. See Economy.]1. Pertaining to the household; domestic. "In this economical misfortune [of ill-assorted matrimony.]" --Milton. 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; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an economical use of money or of time. 5. Relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to political economy; as, economic purposes; economical truths. 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. --Grew. 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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