I. ˈthrift noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse, success, prosperity, from thrīfask to thrive — more at thrive
1. : healthy and vigorous growth
the first things noticed about infested sheep are dullness and lack of thrift — J.T.Lucker & A.O.Foster
2. : good fortune : success
with excellent thrift he fixed his young affections upon the only child of a wealthy merchant — V.L.Parrington
3. : savings accumulated through frugality : acquired or hoarded wealth
4.
a. : careful management especially of financial affairs : good husbandry : wise frugality in expenditure
children should early be trained to value thrift
b. : stinginess , miserliness
showed his thrift by refusing his daughter a college education
5. chiefly Scotland : gainful occupation : useful employment
6. : a plant of the genus Armeria ; especially : a tufted scapose herb ( A. maritima ) of the seacoasts and mountains of the north temperate zone having heads of pink or white flowers — called also cliff rose
II. noun
also thrift institution
: a mutual savings bank or savings and loan association