Economic \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.
      
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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. [WordNet sense 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}. [WordNet sense 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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   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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