from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scant \Scant\, a. [Compar. {Scanter}; superl. {Scantest}.]
[Icel. skamt, neuter of skamr, skammr, short; cf. skamta to
dole out, to portion.]
1. Not full, large, or plentiful; scarcely sufficient; less
than is wanted for the purpose; scanty; meager; not
enough; as, a scant allowance of provisions or water; a
scant pattern of cloth for a garment.
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His sermon was scant, in all, a quarter of an hour.
--Ridley.
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2. Sparing; parsimonious; chary.
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Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence. --Shak.
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Syn: See under {Scanty}.
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