from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and
therefore risen one fifth in value. --Locke.
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The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a
medallion well preserved. --Addison.
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2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of.
[Obs.] "A region scarce of prey." --Milton.
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3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce
ne too sparing." --Chaucer.
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{To make one's self scarce}, to decamp; to depart. [Slang]
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Syn: Rare; infrequent; deficient. See {Rare}.
[1913 Webster] Scarce