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Economic - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Economic : adj
1: of or relating to an economy, the system of production and
management of material wealth; "economic growth";
"aspects of social, political, and economical life"
[syn: economical]
2: of or relating to the science of economics; "economic
theory"
3: concerned with worldly necessities of life (especially
money); "he wrote the book primarily for economic
reasons"; "gave up the large house for economic reasons";
"in economic terms they are very privileged"
4: financially rewarding; "it was no longer economic to keep
the factory open"; "have to keep prices high enough to
make it economic to continue the service"
5: using the minimum of time or resources necessary for
effectiveness; "an economic use of home heating oil"; "a
modern economical heating system"; "an economical use of
her time" [syn: economical]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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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.
2. Relating to domestic economy, or to the management of
household affairs.
And doth employ her economic art And busy care, her
household to preserve. --Sir J.
Davies.
3. Managing with frugality; guarding against waste or
unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and
in expenditure; -- said of character or habits.
Just rich enough, with economic care, To save a
pittance. --Harte.
4. Managed with frugality; not marked with waste or
extravagance; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an
economical use of money or of time.
5. Relating to the means of living, or the resources and
wealth of a country; relating to political economy; as,
economic purposes; economical truths.
These matters economical and political. --J. C.
Shairp.
There was no economical distress in England to
prompt the enterprises of colonization. --Palfrey.
Economic questions, such as money, usury, taxes,
lands, and the employment of the people. --H. C.
Baird.
6. Regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end.
--Grew.
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.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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