a. [ Compar. Scarcer 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. [ 1913 Webster ] You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen one fifth in value. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ] The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well preserved. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. [ Obs. ] “A region scarce of prey.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [ Obs. ] “Too scarce ne too sparing.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
