Fru"gal (?), a. [L. frugalis, fr. frugi, lit., for fruit; hence, fit for food, useful, proper, temperate, the dative of frux, frugis, fruit, akin to E. fruit: cf. F. frugal. See Fruit, n.]

1.

Economical in the use or appropriation of resources; not wasteful or lavish; wise in the expenditure or application of force, materials, time, etc.; characterized by frugality; sparing; economical; saving; as, a frugal housekeeper; frugal of time.

I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions. Milton.

2.

Obtained by, or appropriate to, economy; as, a frugal fortune.

"Frugal fare."

Dryden.

 

© Webster 1913.

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