- scant
- scant (adj.) mid-14c., from O.N. skamt, neuter of skammr "short, brief," from P.Gmc. *skamma- (Cf. O.E. scamm "short," O.H.G. skemmen "to shorten"), perhaps ultimately "hornless."
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
scant
Look at other dictionaries:
scant — scant·ies; scant·i·ly; scant·i·ness; scant·ly; scant·ness; scant; scant·ling; … English syllables
scant — [ skænt ] adjective 1. ) very little or not enough: scant regard: Peter had shown scant regard for her feelings. scant attention: Jen paid scant attention to their conversation. 2. ) not more than a small amount or number: A scant fifteen minutes … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Scant — Scant, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scanted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scanting}.] 1. To limit; to straiten; to treat illiberally; to stint; as, to scant one in provisions; to scant ourselves in the use of necessaries. [1913 Webster] Where a man hath a great… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Scant — Scant, a. [Compar. {Scanter}; superl. {Scantest}.] [Icel. skamt, neuter of skamr, skammr, short; cf. skamta to dole out, to portion.] 1. Not full, large, or plentiful; scarcely sufficient; less than is wanted for the purpose; scanty; meager; not… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Scant — Scant, adv. In a scant manner; with difficulty; scarcely; hardly. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913 Webster] So weak that he was scant able to go down the stairs. Fuller. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
scant — [skænt] adj [only before noun] [Date: 1300 1400; : Old Norse; Origin: skamt] 1.) not enough ▪ The story has received scant attention in the press. ▪ They produce goods with scant regard for quality. 2.) a scant cup/teaspoon etc a little less than … Dictionary of contemporary English
scant — scant, scanty Both words have meanings to do with smallness or insufficiency. Scant is of Norse origin and came into English as several parts of speech including noun and verb as well as adjective. In current use it is only an adjective and even… … Modern English usage
scant|y — «SKAN tee», adjective, scant|i|er, scant|i|est. 1. existing or present in small or insufficient quantity; not enough; not abundant: »His scanty clothing did not keep out the cold. My paper is scanty and time more so ( … Useful english dictionary
Scant — Scant, v. i. To fail, or become less; to scantle; as, the wind scants. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Scant — Scant, n. Scantness; scarcity. [R.] T. Carew. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
scant — [skant] adj. [ME < ON skamt < skammr, short: see SCAMP2] 1. inadequate in size or amount; not enough; meager 2. lacking a small part of the whole; not quite up to full measure [a scant foot] vt. 1. to limit in size or amount; stint 2 … English World dictionary
