D defs.my
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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Scarce

/(skârs)/ · IPA /ˈskɛɚs/
01 a. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon.
  1. 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. 2.
    Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of.[Obs.]
  3. 3.
    Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
To make one's self scarce — to decamp; to depart.
Syn. Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
02 adv. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just.
  1. 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. Irving.
  2. 2.
    Frugally; penuriously.[Obs.]