parsimony
[pahr-suh-moh-nee]
- extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; niggardliness.
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Origin of parsimony
1400–50; late Middle English parcimony < 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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for parsimony
Contemporary Examples
The family lived with a contradictory sense of parsimony and indulgence, “both beyond and below our means.”
Great Weekend Reads: December 30, 2011Jacob Silverman, Michael Thomsen, Lauren Elkin
December 30, 2011
Historical Examples
But with the operations of magic Rodogune had delighted to supersede the parsimony of nature.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
I had often heard of the thrift and parsimony of Herr Oppovich's household.
That Boy Of Norcott'sCharles James Lever
Mre charged Pop with parsimony and he charged her with recklessness.
In a Little TownRupert Hughes
Parsimony was her great virtue, and a power of saving her strong point.
Orley FarmAnthony Trollope
It is not parsimony or unwillingness to give, but a disposition to save.
UsuryCalvin Elliott
parsimony
- extreme care or reluctance in spending; frugality; niggardliness
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin parcimōnia, from parcere to spare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for parsimony
n.
early 15c., from Latin parsimonia "sparingness, frugality, thrift," from pars-, past participle stem of parsi, perfect tense of parcere "to spare, save, refrain from, use moderately" (which is said to be unrelated to Latin parvus "small," parum "too little") + -monia, suffix signifying action, state, or condition.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper