Rār′i-ty, n.
(Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. raritas, Fr. rareté, Pr. raritat, raretat, Sp. raridad, It. rarità. See RARE.]
Sense 1. The quality or state of being rare; rareness; thinness; tenuity; as, the rarity of air.
Sense 2. The state of being rare or scarce; uncommonness; infrequency; as, the rarity of an event, or of a plant.
Far from being fond of a flower for its rarity. Spectator.
Sense 3. That which is rare; an uncommon thing; a thing valued for its scarcity.
I saw three rarities of different kinds, which pleased me more than any other shows in the place. Addison.