thrift

Etymology

From Middle English thrift, thryfte, þrift, from Old Norse þrift (“thriving condition, prosperity”). Equivalent to thrive + -t.

noun

1. (uncountable) The characteristic of using a minimum of something (especially money).
   His thrift can be seen in how little the trashman takes from his house.
   […] 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
2. (countable, US) A savings bank.
   Usually, home mortgages are obtained from thrifts.
3. (countable) Any of various plants of the genus Armeria, particularly Armeria maritima.
4. (obsolete) Success and advance in the acquisition of property; increase of worldly goods; gain; prosperity; profit.
5. (obsolete) Vigorous growth, as of a plant.

verb

1. (transitive) To obtain from a thrift shop.
   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