parsimony

[ pahr-suh-moh-nee ]

/ ˈpɑr səˌmoʊ ni /

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noun

extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; miserliness.

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Origin of parsimony

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English parcimony, from Latin parsimōnia, parcimōnia “frugality, thrift,” equivalent to parsi- (combining form of parsus, past participle of parcere “to economize”) or parci- (combining form of parcus “sparing”) + -mōnia -mony

Words nearby parsimony

Parseeism, parser, Parsha, Parsifal, parsimonious, parsimony, parsing, pars intermedia, parsley, parsley family, parsley fern

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use parsimony in a sentence

The precision of the pointer aim gave the game a methodical pace that quietly favored parsimony and careful deployment of just as many Pikmin were necessary to get the job done and no more.
‘Pikmin 3 Deluxe’ loses some of its original charm|Michael Thomsen|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
But the Sawyer case, combined with the heartless parsimony of all lethal outbreaks, means that the truth will out and soon.
What Ebola on a Plane Means for the U.S.|Kent Sepkowitz|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The family lived with a contradictory sense of parsimony and indulgence, “both beyond and below our means.”
Great Weekend Reads: December 30, 2011|Jacob Silverman, Michael Thomsen, Lauren Elkin|December 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He set forth strongly the dangers to which the jealousy and parsimony of the representatives of the people exposed the country.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

The parsimony of your spouse, who rather chuses to build Gateways than to buy books, has hitherto deprived you of Hume.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
Though Aristotle wrote in a methodical manner, his writings exhibit great parsimony of language.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
He was always overcareful about money, and in old age this tendency developed into parsimony.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
But we are not to encourage parsimony in education; for parsimony in this department is not true economy.
Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions|George S. Boutwell

British Dictionary definitions for parsimony

parsimony

/ (ˈpɑːsɪmənɪ) /

noun

extreme care or reluctance in spending; frugality; niggardliness

Derived forms of parsimony

parsimonious (ˌpɑːsɪˈməʊnɪəs), adjectiveparsimoniously, adverb

Word Origin for parsimony

C15: from Latin parcimōnia, from parcere to spare

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

parsimony

Origin of parsimony

Words nearby parsimony

Words related to parsimony

How to use parsimony in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for parsimony

Derived forms of parsimony

Word Origin for parsimony