释义 |
scarce I. \ˈske](ə)rs, ˈska(a)], ]əs, dial ˈski] or ˈskərs or ˈskə̄s or ˈskās\ adjective (-er/-est) Etymology: Middle English scars, from Old North French escars, scars, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin excarpsus, literally, plucked out, alteration of Latin excerptus, past participle of excerpere to pluck out, excerpt — more at excerpt 1. a. : deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant < butter is cheap when it is plentiful, and dear when it is scarce — G.B.Shaw > < snappy looking gals are scarce as hen's teeth out here — Star Detective > : rare < collects scarce Japanese prints > b. : not provided in sufficient abundance to be free 2. obsolete : parsimonious, stingy, frugal II. adverb Etymology: Middle English scars, from scars, adjective : scarcely, barely, hardly < would have scarce arrived before she would find some excuse to leave — W.B.Yeats > < cities of the period were scarce more than towns — J.T.Adams > |