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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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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