SCARCER
Adjective
scarcer
comparative form of scarce
Source: Wiktionary
SCARCE
Scarce, a. [Compar. Scarcer; superl. Scarcest.] Etym: [OE. scars, OF.
escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere
to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see Ex-) +
carpere. See Carpet, and cf. Excerp.]
1. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the
demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon.
You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen
one fifth in value. Locke.
The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well
preserved. Addison.
2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. [Obs.] "A
region scarce of prey." Milton.
3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce ne too
sparing." Chaucer. To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart.
[Slang]
Syn.
– Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
Scarce, Scarce"ly, adv.
1. 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.
2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] haucer.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition