All 31 Uses
scarcity
in
The Deerslayer
(Auto-generated)
- You are but a boy—a sapling, that has scarce got root.†
Chpt 1 *scarce = in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin)
- So rich and fleecy were the outlines of the forest, that scarce an opening could be seen, the whole visible earth, from the rounded mountain-top to the water's edge, presenting one unvaried hue of unbroken verdure.†
Chpt 2
- Scarce a trigger is pulled on it; and as for the trappers, this is not a region they greatly frequent.†
Chpt 2
- No one can attack him here, without coming in a boat, and the plunder and scalps would scarce be worth the trouble of digging out canoes.†
Chpt 2
- I scarce know Jude any longer, and shall soon take to admiring her sister, who is getting to be much more to my fancy.†
Chpt 5
- Scarce had they fairly opened the bottom of the bay, when a general start proved that their eyes had lighted on a common object at the same instant.†
Chpt 6
- The air, for wind it could scarce be called, was still light, it is true, but it had increased a little in the course of the night, and as the canoes were feathers on the water, they had drifted twice the expected distance; and, what was still more dangerous, had approached so near the base of the mountain that here rose precipitously from the eastern shore, as to render the carols of the birds plainly audible.†
Chpt 7
- The light air scarce descended as low as the bed of the lake, hovering over it, as if unwilling to disturb its deep tranquillity, or to ruffle its mirror-like surface.†
Chpt 8
- "This is white neglect," said Deerslayer, shaking his head, "and scarce a season goes by that some one in the settlements doesn't suffer from it.†
Chpt 13
- Father scarce smiled on me once, while I was with him—and, Hurry—Yes—Hurry talked loud and laughed, but I don't think he smiled once either.†
Chpt 13
- There was a little air, though it scarce deserved to be termed wind.†
Chpt 15
- Judith trembled like the aspen, she scarce knew why herself, though there was the prospect of a scene of violence; for if Hurry was fierce and overbearing in the consciousness of his vast strength, Deerslayer had about him the calm determination that promises greater perseverance, and a resolution more likely to effect its object.†
Chpt 15
- On the other hand, Hutter and Hurry, who had been chiefly instigated by the basest of all human motives, the thirst of gain, could scarce control their feelings.†
Chpt 15
- Resolute as she was both by nature and habit, Judith scarce breathed, while poor Hetty hid her face and trembled.†
Chpt 18
- It is another peculiarity of the comprehensive wisdom of the Bible that scarce a chapter, unless it be strictly narration, can be turned to, that does not contain some searching truth that is applicable to the condition of every human heart, as well as to the temporal state of its owner, either through the workings of that heart, or even in a still more direct form.†
Chpt 21
- Judith had scarce attended to this rude attempt of Hurry's at consolation, although she necessarily understood its general drift, and had a tolerably accurate notion of its manner.†
Chpt 21
- You scarce know what you say, or what you mean!†
Chpt 22
- You shall not have it to say, Judith—I scarce know by what name to call myself, now!†
Chpt 24
- I have had many suitors, Deerslayer—nay, scarce an unmarried trapper or hunter has been in at the Lake these four years, who has not offered to take me away with him, and I fear some that were married, too—†
Chpt 24
- She scarce knew whether to lament, or to rejoice, at having failed in making herself understood.†
Chpt 24
- A long, thoughtful pause succeeded, during which Hist stealthily took the hand of the chief, as if seeking his support, though she scarce ventured to raise her eyes to a countenance that was now literally becoming terrible, under the conflicting passions and stern resolution that were struggling in the breast of its owner.†
Chpt 25
- At this meal scarce a syllable was exchanged, all the females manifesting want of appetites, though the two men were unchanged in this particular.†
Chpt 25
- Tis onpossible for the wicked to enter on it, I will allow, but fri'nds can scarce be separated, though they are not of the same race on 'arth.†
Chpt 25
- Judith complied with a willingness she could scarce conceal.†
Chpt 25
- Appreciating the singular character of her companion, however, she succeeded in appearing calm, though, had not his attention been drawn exclusively to the rifle, a man of his keenness of observation could scarce have failed to detect the agony of mind with which the girl had hearkened to his words.†
Chpt 25
- The Delaware understood what was said, though he scarce understood the feelings which had prompted the words, and by way of disposing of the difficulty, he drew his keen knife, and severed the head of the sufferer from its body.†
Chpt 26
- "What harm can it be to think well of a fellow creature," returned Hetty simply, though the conscious blood was stealing to her cheeks in spite of a spirit so pure that it scarce knew why it prompted the blush, "the Bible tells us to 'love them who despitefully use' us, and why shouldn't we like them that do not."†
Chpt 26
- Without her forgiveness, there was scarce a hope that the tribe could be induced to overlook its loss, and even to Rivenoak, himself, much as he was disposed to pardon, the fate of our hero now appeared to be almost hopelessly sealed.†
Chpt 28
- The cunning Hurons well knew this fact, and scarce one levelled his piece without first causing it to point as near as possible at the forehead of the prisoner, in the hope that his fortitude would fail him, and that the band would enjoy the triumph of seeing a victim quail under their ingenious cruelty.†
Chpt 29
- "Let my daughter keep her two-tailed hog, to eat when venison is scarce," he drily answered, "and the little gun, which has two muzzles.†
Chpt 30
- —" exclaimed Judith, scarce knowing what she said, or why she interposed, unless to obtain time.†
Chpt 30
Definitions:
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(1)
(scarcity) shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
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(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) More rarely (and typically in classic literature), scarce can be short for scarcely or hardly or barely or by a small margin -- such as in "She was scarce ten years old," or "I scarce know why."