Refers to a rule used to choose among possible trees, which states that the tree implying the least number of changes in character states is the best. This method can be very missleading, especially if "simple" parsimony is used.

The idea that true beauty lies in simplicity.

The principle of preferring the simplest among a set of plausible explanations of a phenomenon. Commonly employed in evolutionary and biogeographic studies.

Parsimony is the principle that "no more causes or forces should be assumed than are necessary to account for the facts" (OED). In cladistics, it is the main criterion for choosing between cladograms. In practice, this means choosing the cladogram supported by the greatest number of shared features and contradicted by the fewest. It therefore requires the fewest assumptions to explain the distribution of non- congruent features.

Closeness or sparingness in the expenditure of money; -- generally in a bad sense; excessive frugality; niggardliness.

extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily

Parsimony is the taking of extreme care at arriving at a course of action; or unusual or excessive frugality, extreme economy or stinginess. The word derives from Middle English parcimony, from Latin parsimonia, from parsus, past participle of parcere: to spare.