/derrth/ , n.
1. an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack: There is a dearth of good engineers.
2. scarcity and dearness of food; famine.
[ 1200-50; ME derthe. See DEAR 1 , -TH 1 ]
Syn. 1. shortage, want, paucity, insufficiency.
Ant. 1. abundance, plenty, sufficiency; surplus.