{ 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. Addison.
Praise... owes its value to its scarcity. Rambler.
The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness. Collier.
Syn. — Deficiency; lack; want; penury; dearth; rareness; rarity; infrequency.