2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); — with of. [Obs.] "A region scarce of prey." Milton.
3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce ne too sparing." Chaucer. To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [Slang]
Syn.
— Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
SCARCE; SCARCELY
Scarce, Scarce"ly, adv.
1. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just. With a scarce well-lighted flame. Milton. The eldest scarcely five year was of age. Chaucer. Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides. Dryden. He had scarcely finished, when the laborer arrived who had been sent for my ransom. W. Irwing.
2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] haucer.
SCARCEMENT
Scarce"ment, n. (Arch. & Engin.)
Defn: An offset where a wall or bank of earth, etc., retreats, leaving a shelf or footing.
SCARCENESS; SCARCITY
Scarce"ness, Scar"ci*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or condition of being scarce; smallness of quantity in proportion to the wants or demands; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury; as, a scarcity of grain; a great scarcity of beauties. Chaucer. A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples. Addison. Praise . . . owes its value to its scarcity. Rambler. The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness. Collier.