Etymology From Middle English thrift, thryfte, þrift, from Old Norse þrift (“thriving condition, prosperity”). Equivalent to thrive + -t.
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The characteristic of using a minimum of something (especially money).
His thrift can be seen in how little the trashman takes from his house.
The rest, […] willing to fall to thrift , as I have seene many souldiers after the service to prove very good husbands1596 (date written; published 1633), Edmund Spenser, A Vewe of the Present State of Irelande […], Dublin: […] Societie of Stationers, […], →OCLC; republished as A View of the State of Ireland […] (Ancient Irish Histories), Dublin: […] Society of Stationers, […] Hibernia Press, […] [b]y John Morrison, 1809, →OCLC:
2 more examples
[…] it would appear that before taking this precaution Mr. Bree must have had the thrift to remove a modest competency of the gold […]1892, Ambrose Bierce, Tales of Soldiers and Civilians: Holy Terror:
The Meaning of Thrift. Thrift implies careful spending, maximum earning, and no wasting. Thrift means much more than the accumulation of a savings account. It means careful and well-considered use of materials as well as money, for even the wise use of money, basic as it is to thrift, is only one phase. Thrift means wise direction of time and effort. It means protection of health. Finally, it means intelligent care of human beings by the community, the State, and the Nation. The best way to begin a thrift movement is by studying simple household problems. From this individual inspection the larger social phases of thrift in community life must develop.1919 April, Flora Rose, Martha Van Rensselaer, “Lesson 123: A program of thrift for New York State”, in The Cornell Reading Course for the Farm Home. Thrift Series. Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics. Published and Distributed in Furtherance of the Purposes Provided for in the Act of Congress of May 8, 1914, Ithaca, New York: New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University, pages 1765-1766 [61-62]:
Usually, home mortgages are obtained from thrifts.
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Any of various plants of the genus Armeria, particularly Armeria maritima.
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Obsolete Success and advance in the acquisition of property; increase of worldly goods; gain; prosperity; profit.
Bassanio: […]And many Jasons come in quest of her. O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of them, I have a mind presages me such thrift, That I should questionless be fortunate!c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
Hamlet: No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
Etymology From Middle English thrift, thryfte, þrift, from Old Norse þrift (“thriving condition, prosperity”). Equivalent to thrive + -t.
1
Ambitransitive To shop or browse at a thrift shop; to buy (something) at a thrift shop.
They like to go thrifting on weekends.
I thrifted these vintage coffee mugs.
1 more example
She probably thrifted the T-shirt and shorts. Bought the hiking boots yesterday at Copeland's. She's not much of a hiker, Xerxes thinks.2007, James Bernard Frost, World Leader Pretend, page 152: