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.