| 释义 |
scar·ci·ty
\ˈske]rsəd.ē, ˈska(a)], ]əs-, -ətē, -i\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English scarsetee, from Old North French escarseté, from escars scarce + -eté -ity — more at scarce
: the quality or condition of being scarce:
a. obsolete : sparingness, niggardliness, parsimony
b. : smallness of quantity or number in proportion to the wants or demands
< a scarcity of grain >
< the scarcity of teachers >
: very limited supply
< the scarcity of radium >
c. : lack of provisions for the support of life : a period of such want
< a drought-struck area suffers scarcity >
d. obsolete : the condition of lacking an adequate supply (as of the necessities of life) : penury, poverty
e. obsolete : a state of imperfection : inadequacy
f. : rareness, uncommonness
< praise … owes its value to its scarcity — Samuel Johnson > |