Main Entry: ¹scant

Pronunciation: \ˈskant\

Function: adjective

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

Date: 14th century

1 dialect a : excessively frugal b : not prodigal : chary
2 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