Scarce a. [Compar. Scarcer superl. Scarcest.]
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.”
3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] “Too scarce ne too sparing.”
To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [Slang]
Syn: -- Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
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