Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Scarce?

\Scarce\ (sk[^a]rs), a. [Compar. {Scarcer} (sk[^a]r"s[~e]r); superl. {Scarcest}.] [OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, excarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see {Ex-}) + carpere. See {Carpet}, and cf. {Excerp}.] 1. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen one fifth in value. --Locke. The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well preserved. --Addison. 2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. [Obs.] ``A region scarce of prey.'' --Milton. 3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] ``Too scarce ne too sparing.'' --Chaucer. {To make one's self scarce}, to decamp; to depart. [Slang] Syn: Rare; infrequent; deficient. See {Rare}.
\Scarce\, Scarcely \Scarce"ly\, adv. 1. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just. With a scarce well-lighted flame. --Milton. The eldest scarcely five year was of age. --Chaucer. Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides. --Dryden. He had scarcely finished, when the laborer arrived who had been sent for my ransom. --W. Irving. 2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] --Chaucer.