— scarceness , n.
/skairs/ , adj., scarcer, scarcest , adv.
adj.
1. insufficient to satisfy the need or demand; not abundant: Meat and butter were scarce during the war.
2. seldom met with; rare: a scarce book.
3. make oneself scarce , Informal.
a. to depart, esp. suddenly.
b. to stay away; avoid.
adv.
4. scarcely.
[ 1250-1300; ME scars e ) scars excarpsus plucked out, for L excerptus; see EXCERPT ]
Syn. 1. deficient. 2. uncommon, infrequent.
Ant. 1. abundant.