[spar.ing] adj (14c) 1: marked by or practicing careful restraint (as in the use of resources)
2: meager, bare "the map is ~ of information" -- spar.ing.ly adv syn sparing, frugal, thrifty, economical mean careful in the use of one's money or resources. sparing stresses abstention and restraint "sparing in the offering of advice". frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle "ran a frugal household". thrifty stresses good management and industry "thrifty use of nonrenewable resources". economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage "an economical health care plan".