Short in quantity; scarcely sufficient; rather less than is wanted for the purpose; not enough; scanty: as, a scant allowance of provisions or water; a scant piece of cloth for a garment.Sparing; parsimonious; chary.Having a limited or scanty supply; scarce; short: with of.Nautical, of the wind, coming from a direction such that a ship will barely lie her course even when close-hauled.n. Scarcity; scantiness; lack.Scarcely; hardly.Scantily; sparingly.To put on scant allowance; limit; stint: as, to scant one in provisions or necessaries.To make small or scanty; diminish; cut short or down.To be niggard or sparing of; begrudge; keep back.Nautical, of the wind, to become less favorable; blow in such a direction as to hinder a vessel from continuing on her course even when close-hauled.