n. (pl. -ies)
1. a the wealth and resources of a community, esp. in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services. b a particular kind of this (a capitalist economy). c the administration or condition of an economy.
2 a the careful management of (esp. financial) resources; frugality. b (often in pl.) an instance of this (made many economies).
3 sparing or careful use (economy of language).
4 (also economy class) the cheapest class of air travel.
5 (attrib.) (also economy-size) (of goods) consisting of a large quantity for a proportionally lower cost.
Etymology: F {eacute}conomie or L oeconomia f. Gk oikonomia household management f. oikos house + nemo manage