Main Entry:

¹scant

Pronunciation:

\ˈskant\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr short

Date:

14th century

1dialect a: excessively frugal b: not prodigal : chary2 a: barely or scarcely sufficient ; especially : not quite coming up to a stated measure <a scant teaspoon> b: lacking in amplitude or quantity <scant growth>3: having a small or insufficient supply <he's fat, and scant of breath — Shakespeare>

synonyms see meager

— scant·ly adverb

— scant·ness noun