The action or practice of economizing on expenditure or use of money, resources, time, etc.; thrift, frugality. Now more usually: the accumulation of…

Abatement of severity or rigour; the action or an act of making something less severe; restriction within moderate limits. In early use also…

The action of saving money, time, etc.; a saving.

Reduction of one’s expenditure; the introduction of (rigorous) economies. Cf. belt, n.1 phrases 3b.

The practice of using special means, such as dieting and exercises, to produce slimness of body. Also figurative.