paucity

American  

[paw-si-tee] / ˈpɔ sɪ ti /

noun

1. smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness.

   a country with a paucity of resources.

2. smallness or insufficiency of number; fewness.

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paucity British  

/ ˈpɔːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. smallness of quantity; insufficiency; dearth

2. smallness of number; fewness

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Etymology

Origin of paucity

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English paucite, from Latin paucitās “fewness,” derivative of paucus “few”; -ity

Example Sentences

He resigned as president after a faculty no-confidence vote following his delivery of a speech suggesting the paucity of women in science and engineering might be connected to differences in their aptitude for the subjects.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2005, as president, Summers delivered a speech suggesting the paucity of women in science and engineering might be connected to a difference in the distribution of aptitude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some critics claim the paucity of opposition provided in Group K may have given a false impression of England's quality.

From Barron's

After the blazes, there was a paucity of information about its losses and whether it could cover them.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, a relative paucity of visible failures isn’t the same thing as an all-clear signal for all borrowers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dearth
• insufficiency
• smallness