Scarce
[skeəs] or [skɛrs]
Definition
(adj.) deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand; 'fresh vegetables were scarce during the drought' .
Editor: Ronda--From WordNet
Definition
(superl.) Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon.
(superl.) Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of.
(superl.) Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy.
(adv.) Alt. of Scarcely
Inputed by Billy
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Deficient, wanting, not plentiful, not abundant.[2]. Rare, uncommon, infrequent.
Typed by Frank
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Rare, infrequent, unabundant, unique, uncommon, unusual, singular, precious,choice, few, wanting, sparse
ANT:Common, frequent, abundant, valueless, thick, plentiful
Inputed by Julio
Definition
adj. not plentiful: not equal to the demand: rare: not common: parsimonious: deficient: short: scanty.—adj. Scarce′-beard′ed (Shak.) having a scanty beard.—adv. Scarce′ly Scarce (B.) hardly barely.—ns. Scarce′ment (archit.) a plain set-off or projection in a wall; Scarce′ness; Scarc′ity state of being scarce: deficiency: rareness: niggardliness: want: famine.—Make one's self scarce to decamp.
Typed by Bert
Examples
- What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Business between you and me being out of the question to-day, young man, and my time being precious,' said Miss Jenny then, 'I'll make myself scarce. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Whither we rambled, I scarce knew. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Indeed, I am so unobservant of it, that to this day I can scarce tell a few hours after dinner of what dishes it consisted. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- The lion was bounding along in easy leaps scarce five paces behind. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- If Human Justice' were what she ought to be, you two would scarce hold your present postor enjoy your present credit. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Scarce any nation has dealt equally and impartially with every sort of industry. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- He had taken scarce a dozen steps toward the jungle when a great form rose up before him from the shadows of a low bush. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- No wonder if my answer appear somewhat new, since the question itself has scarce ever yet been thought of. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Supplies were growing scarce in Richmond, and the sources from which to draw them were in our hands. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Elephant-tusk ivory, the only kind used in billiard ball manufacturing, is growing scarcer every year, with a consequent increase in price. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- And scarcer, says Mrs. Rouncewell, expanding her stomacher to its utmost limits, than it formerly was! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Typed by Eliza