paucity

[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.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English paucite < Latin paucitās fewness, derivative of paucus few; see -ity
Examples from the web for paucity
  • We would never allow this paucity of journalism in print.
  • Eventually, frustrated with the paucity of tools for working directly with the brain, he started building his own.
  • Despite a paucity of evidence, it could be a generational thing.
  • Markets might have treated this as evidence of a lack of imagination, or a paucity of profitable projects.
  • They complain about a paucity of offerings.
  • Thanks to a paucity of high-profile candidates, that could change next month.
  • It is disappointing, then, to note the paucity of literature on one elemental experience: disappointment.
  • Providing credit to small business in the developing world is difficult, thanks to the paucity of credit bureaus.
  • The paucity of things worth watching is absolutely mind-boggling nowadays.
  • Indeed, for that matter, this essay has a noticeable paucity of historical context.
British Dictionary definitions for paucity

paucity

/ˈpɔːsɪtɪ/
noun
1.
smallness of quantity; insufficiency; dearth
2.
smallness of number; fewness
Word Origin
C15: from Latin paucitās scarcity, from paucus few
Contemporary definitions for paucity
noun

an insufficiency; dearth

Word Origin

Latin paucus 'little'

Word Origin and History for paucity
n.

late 14c., from Old French paucité (14c.) and directly from Latin paucitatem (nominative paucitas) "fewness, scarcity, a small number," from paucus "few, little," from PIE *pau-ko-, from root *pau- (1) "few, little" (cf. Latin paullus "little;" Old English feawe "few;" see few (adj.)).