scant

adjective, scant·er, scant·est.

1. barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate: to do scant justice.
2. limited; meager; not large: a scant amount.
3. barely amounting to as much as indicated: a scant two hours; a scant cupful.
4. having an inadequate or limited supply (usually followed by of): scant of breath.

verb (used with object)

5. to make scant; diminish.
6. to stint the supply of; withhold.
7. to treat slightly or inadequately.

adverb

8. Scot. and North England Dialect. scarcely; barely; hardly.

adjective

1. scarcely sufficient; limitedhe paid her scant attention
2. (prenominal) slightly short of the amount indicated; barea scant ten inches
3. (postpositive foll by of) having a short supply (of)

verb (tr)

4. to limit in size or quantity
5. to provide with a limited or inadequate supply of
6. to treat in a slighting or inadequate manner

adverb

7. scarcely; barely

adj.mid-14c., from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse skamt, neuter of skammr “short, brief”), from Proto-Germanic *skamma- (cf. Old English scamm “short,” Old High German skemmen “to shorten”), perhaps ultimately “hornless,” from PIE *kem- (see hind (n.)). Also in Middle English as a noun, “scant supply, scarcity,” from Old Norse. As a verb and adverb from mid-15c.