Word Direct Answers

What does "scarce" mean?

Scarce: Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. [Obs.] "A region scarce of prey." Milton.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce ne too sparing." Chaucer. To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [Slang] See Rare.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] haucer.

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