What Is Parsimony? Definition And Usage Of This Term
WHAT IS PARSIMONY – In this topic, we will first know and learn the definition of this term and how is this term used in sentences.
Definition
The Oxford Dictionary defines the term as the following:
- extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources.
Meanwhile, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this term as the following:
- the quality of being careful with money or resources
- the quality or state of being stingy
- economy in the use of means to an end
- economy of explanation in conformity with Occam’s razor
Synonyms
Here are some of the following synonyms:
- meanness
- miserliness
- parsimoniousness
- niggardliness
- close-fistedness
- closeness
- penuriousness
- penny-pinching
- cheeseparing
- illiberality
- frugality
- stinginess
- minginess
- tightness
- tight-fistedness
Etymology
It is a late Middle English term from the Latin term parsimonia, parcimonia, which is from parcere or ‘be sparing’
Examples
Here are some examples of the usage of this term:
- The determination to limit still further the power of the executive was at the bottom of this fatal parsimony, with the inevitable consequence that, while the king and the senate were powerless, every great noble or lord-marcher was free to do what he chose in his own domains, so long as he flattered his “little brothers,” the szlachta.
- But for the most part the fatal parsimony of his country compelled Koniecpolski to confine himself to the harassing guerrilla warfare in which he was an expert.
- Parsimony is the source of the increase of capital; by augmenting the fund devoted to the maintenance of productive hands, it puts in motion an additional quantity of industry, which adds to the value of the annual produce.
- He strenuously supported Stephen during his long struggle with Ivan the Terrible, despite the obstruction and parsimony of the diet.
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