economy-size
UK[ɪˈkɒnəmi saɪz]US[ɪˈkɑːnəmi saɪz]
adj
(of a product) sold in a large container or quantity that is cheaper per unit than a smaller size.
Morpheme Breakdown
economy
size
economy
thrifty management
size
dimensions
Etymology
The compound "economy-size" is a modern commercial term that directly combines two established English words to create a transparent, persuasive meaning. "Economy" traces back to the Greek concept of 'oikonomia', the prudent management of a household's resources, which evolved to signify general thrift and efficiency. "Size" originates from a legal Old French term for an ordinance setting measurements, which broadened to mean physical dimensions. When fused, the term's logic is literal: a product's physical size or quantity is designed with the principle of economic thrift in mind, offering a lower cost per unit to the consumer, thus applying ancient concepts of household management to modern marketing.
Analysis
Structure: economy (thrifty management) + size (dimensions)
- economy: From Latin 'oeconomia', from Greek 'oikonomia' meaning "household management". In this compound, it functions as a modifier meaning "thrifty" or "cost-effective".
- size: From Old French 'sise', a shortening of 'assise' meaning "an ordinance to fix the amount of something". It functions as the head noun, here nominalized into an adjective meaning "pertaining to dimensions or quantity".
Examples
For large families, buying the economy-size laundry detergent is more cost-effective.
The supermarket promotes its economy-size cereal boxes with bright yellow labels.
While the initial price is higher, the economy-size version saves money in the long run.