From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scarce \Scarce\ (sk[^a]rs), a. [Compar. Scarcer
(sk[^a]r"s[~e]r); superl. Scarcest.] [OE. scars, OF.
escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, excarpsus, for L. excerptus,
p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to
shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See Carpet, and cf.
Excerp.]
1. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion
to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon.
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You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and
therefore risen one fifth in value. --Locke.
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The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a
medallion well preserved. --Addison.
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2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of.
[Obs.] "A region scarce of prey." --Milton.
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3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce
ne too sparing." --Chaucer.
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To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [Slang]
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Syn: Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scarce \Scarce\, Scarcely \Scarce"ly\, adv.
1. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just.
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With a scarce well-lighted flame. --Milton.
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The eldest scarcely five year was of age. --Chaucer.
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Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides.
--Dryden.
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He had scarcely finished, when the laborer arrived
who had been sent for my ransom. --W. Irving.
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2. Frugally; penuriously. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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