Main Entry: scarce·ly

Function: adverb

Date: 14th century

1 a : by a narrow margin : only just <had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open — Agnes S. Turnbull> b : almost not <could scarcely see for the fog>
2 a : certainly not <could scarcely interfere> b : probably not <there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped — V. L. Parrington>