the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. The quality or condition of being scarce; smallness of quantity in proportion to the wants or demands; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. The state or condition of being scarce.
n. Deficiency; dearth.
n. Bareness; infrequency of occurrence; uncommonness.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a small and inadequate amount
Word Usage
"'He setteth the poor on high, an letteth the runagates continoo in scarceness.'"