Sparse \Sparse\, a. [Compar. {Sparser}; superl. {Sparsest}.] [L.
sparsus, p. p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. {Asperse},
{Disperse}.]
1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being
dense or close together; as, a sparse population.
--Carlyle.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; --
applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.
[1913 Webster]