Scarce

a. [compar. SCARCER; superl. SCARCEST.] [O. Fr. escars, eschars, Pr. escars, escas, Sp. escaso, It. scarso, D. schaars, schaarsch, from L. Lat. scarpsus, excarpsus, for Lat. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere, to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten.] Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well preserved. Addison. Syn.—Rare; infrequent; deficient; uncommon. See RARE.