Scarce \Scarce\ (sk[^a]rs), a. [Compar. Scarcer (sk[^a]r"s[~e]r); superl. Scarcest.]

[OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, excarpsus, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Scarce \Scarce\, Scarcely \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. Irving.

2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)