|ekə|nämik, |ēk-, -mēk adjective
also ec·o·nom·i·cal -mə̇kəl, -mēk-
Etymology: economic from Late Latin oeconomicus of or relating to a divine dispensation, from Late Greek oikonomikos, from Greek, skilled in the management of a household, frugal, from oikonomos steward + -ikos -ic; economical from Late Latin oeconomicus + English -al — more at economy
1. usually economical , archaic : of or relating to a household or its management : of or relating to a divine dispensation or system of government
2. usually economical : given to thrift
a sturdy, handsome, high-colored woman … economical and sensible — Carl Van Doren
: productive of saving
sea power is the … most economical form of military power — Time
: sparing in quantity (as of words)
a style as economical and exact as a theorem in geometry — Richard Harrity
3.
a. : of or relating to the science of economics
rejected the economic doctrines of Ricardo
: of, relating to, or concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of commodities
a program to prevent inflation and economic collapse
a council of economic advisers
: material
moved exclusively by economic motives
b. : having practical or industrial significance, uses, or application
the economic plants of a region
: affecting or liable to affect material resources or welfare
two economic pests were intercepted by … inspectors during recent weeks — Farm Chemicals
c. : operated or produced on a profitable basis : producing an excess of returns over expenditures
reactor types which might be developed to produce economic power — U.S. Code
: capable of or liable to profitable exploitation
economic beds of phosphate are found only under marine conditions — A.M.Bateman
: profitable
barely economic , since she paid a nurse almost as much as she made herself — Elizabeth Janeway
Synonyms: see sparing