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

\Scarce\, Scarcely \Scarce"ly\, adv.
1. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just.
         With a scarce well-lighted flame.     --Milton.
         The eldest scarcely five year was of age. --Chaucer.
         Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides.
                                               --Dryden.
         He had scarcely finished, when the laborer arrived
         who had been sent for my ransom.      --W. Irving.
2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] --Chaucer.