{ Scarce"ness (?), Scar"ci*ty (?) }, 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.

A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples.

Praise . . . owes its value to its scarcity.

The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness.

Syn. -- Deficiency; lack; want; penury; dearth; rareness; rarity; infrequency.

{ Scarce"ness (?), Scar"ci*ty (?) }, 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.

A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples.

Praise . . . owes its value to its scarcity.

The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness.

Syn. -- Deficiency; lack; want; penury; dearth; rareness; rarity; infrequency.

• the condition of something being scarce or deficient; a shortage
  
• an inadequate amount of something