I. ˈskant adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr short
Date: 14th century
1. dialect
a. : excessively frugal
b. : not prodigal : chary
2.
a. : barely or scarcely sufficient ; especially : not quite coming up to a stated measure
a scant teaspoon
b. : lacking in amplitude or quantity
scant growth
3. : having a small or insufficient supply
he's fat, and scant of breath — Shakespeare
Synonyms: see meager
• scant·ly adverb
• scant·ness noun
II. adverb
Date: 15th century
dialect : scarcely , hardly
III. transitive verb
Date: circa 1580
1. : to provide an incomplete supply of
2. : to make small, narrow, or meager
3. : to give scant attention to : slight
4. : to provide with a meager or inadequate portion or supply : stint