— scantly , adv. — scantness , n.
/skant/ , adj., scanter, scantest , v. , adv.
adj.
1. barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate: to do scant justice.
2. limited; meager; not large: a scant amount.
3. barely amounting to as much as indicated: a scant two hours; a scant cupful.
4. having an inadequate or limited supply (usually fol. by of ): scant of breath.
v.t.
5. to make scant; diminish.
6. to stint the supply of; withhold.
7. to treat slightly or inadequately.
adv.
8. Scot. and North Eng. Dial. scarcely; barely; hardly.
[ 1325-75; ME (adj.) skamt, neut. of skammr short ]
Syn. 2. scanty, small, restricted. 4. short, lacking, wanting, deficient. 5. lessen, reduce, decrease, curtail. 6. limit, restrict, skimp, scrimp. 7. slight, neglect.