{ } 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; as, a scarcity of grain; a great scarcity of beauties. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] Praise . . . owes its value to its scarcity. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ] The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness. Collier. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Deficiency; lack; want; penury; dearth; rareness; rarity; infrequency. [ 1913 Webster ] Variants: Scarceness | 
