Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scarce \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}.