parsimony

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

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Parsimony

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[edit] Etymology

From Old French parsimonie < Latin parsimonia (“‘sparingness, frugality’”) < parcere (“‘to be sparing’”).

[edit] Noun

parsimony (uncountable)

1. Great reluctance to spend money unnecessarily.
   • 1776, Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations:

     Parsimony, and not industry, is the immediate cause of the increase of capital. Industry, indeed, provides the subject which parsimony accumulates. But whatever industry might acquire, if parsimony did not save and store up, the capital would never be the greater.

2. By analogy from (1), principle of using the least resources or explanations to solve a problem.

[edit] Synonyms

• economy
• frugality
• stinginess
• niggardliness
• See also Wikisaurus:stingy
• See also Wikisaurus:frugal

[edit] Related terms

• parsimonious

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Occam's Razor

[edit] External links

• parsimony in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• parsimony in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911