cheeseparing

alternative cheese-paring

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of cheesepare

comparative more cheeseparing · superlative most cheeseparing · alternative cheese-paring

1. Niggardly, stingy.

   But when a chimney ain’t never been swep’ through, on account of persons’ cheeseparin’ ‘abits, then it ain’t fair on the chimney, nor yet it ain’t fair on the sweep.

   1937, Dorothy L. Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon

   1 more example

   For those who waste their time on reflection it is curious to note that although, as has been pointed out, “in-lawry” is the common fate of the entire human race—you may get through life untouched by fire, water, small-pox, or bankruptcy, but here is no escape—the entire human race continues to remain in open revolt at the situation, alternately gibbing and buck-jumping, as if it were a new impost invented of a cheeseparing Exchequer Chancellor to vex the souls and rob the tills of unoffending citizens.

   1898 April 1, “Social Suggestions for 1898. IX.—A Plea for the ‘In-Law.’”, in The Westminster Gazette, special edition, volume XI, number 1,588, London: […] John Marshall, […], →OCLC, page 1, column 3

plural cheeseparings · alternative cheese-paring

1. A small fragment or sliver.

   For this reason I publish it periodically in parts, and in the light unrestrained form of conversation, as best adapted for the convenience of those who can only read at odd hours during the cheeseparings of time.

   1841, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, volume 50, page 740