[f. SPARING ppl. a.] The quality of being sparing: a. In respect of diet, living, expenditure, etc.
1579. Twyne, Phis. agst. Fortune, I. xlii. 61. They are most agreable to the auncient sparyngnesse, and the manners of the Romanes.
a. 1603. T. Cartwright, Confut. Rhem. N. T. (1618), 370. To the end, that (by the sparingnesse and homelinesse of their diet), they … might serue for figures of our Sauiour.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, Goth. Wars, III. 82. With a provident sparingnesse he gave them food more scarcely then according to their appetite.
1682. Norris, Hierocles, 98. Too much Sparingness [will slide] into Sordidness and Slovenliness.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 411. By these exercises, and the sparingness of their diet.
1731. Rape of Helen, Pref. p. v. The few books of English poetry which thro’ sparingness I have purchased.
1853. Ruskin, Stones Ven., II. vii. § 11. 240. A lightness of form and sparingness of material.
1873. Helps, Anim. & Mast., iii. (1875), 65. It affords a beautiful illustration of the prudence and sparingness of what we call Nature.
b. In other connections.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 50. In secrecy, and in sparingnesse of speech.
1671. [R. MacWard], True Non-conf., 189. For all your sparingness in passing judgment.
1717. L. Howel, Desiderius (ed. 3), 138. Courtesy, and Affability, justly modified with Slowness and Sparingness of Words.
1828. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. III. (1863), 60. A prodigality of words which the fair poetess endeavoured to counterbalance by a corresponding sparingness of idea.
1904. Athenæum, 2 April, 423/3. The artistic selection and sparingness of their inclusions.
