Thrift, n.
Etymology: [Icel. . See Thrive.]
1. A thriving state; good husbandry; economical management in regard to property; frugality. The rest, . . . willing to fall to thrift, prove very good husbands. Spenser.
2. Success and advance in the acquisition of property; increase of worldly goods; gain; prosperity. "Your thrift is gone full clean." Chaucer. I have a mind presages me such thrift. Shak.
3. Vigorous growth, as of a plant.
4. (Bot.)
2 more senses
One of several species of flowering plants of the genera Statice and Armeria. Common thrift (Bot.), Armeria vulgaris; -- also called sea pink.
Syn. -- Frugality; economy; prosperity; gain; profit.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for thrift; he lists it under frugality.
Where he writes about it:
Prudence and providence look far ahead, and sacrifice the present to the future, saving as much as may be necessary for that end. (See prudence.) Thrift seeks not merely to save, but to earn. — from frugality
Economy manages, frugality saves, providence plans, thrift at once earns and saves, with a view to wholesome and profitable expenditure at a fitting time. — from frugality