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.
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.
© Webster 1913.