Lexic.us

Definition of Scarcely

1. Adverb. Only a very short time before. "Would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave"

2. Adverb. Almost not. "They scarcely ever used the emergency generator"

Definition of Scarcely

1. Adverb. (context: modal) Probably not. ¹

2. Adverb. (context: modal) Certainly not. ¹

3. Adverb. (context: degree) Almost not at all; by a small margin. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Scarcely

1. by a narrow margin [adv]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Scarcely

scarabaeid scarabaeid beetle scarabaeoid scarabaeus scarabaeuses scarabee scarabees scarablike scaraboid scarabs

scarabæid scaramouches scarbroite scarce scarce copper scarcely (current term) scarcement scarcements scarceness scarcenesses

scarcer scarcest scarcities scarcity scard scardey cat scardey cats scards scare scare away

Literary usage of Scarcely

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Report by Oklahoma Adjutant-general's office (1859)
"As the little pin-holes which they perforate scarcely diminish the strength of the timber in the least, they are deemed of no consequence. ..."

2. Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1897)
"It seemed as if I might next cast my line upward into the air, as well as downward into this element, which was scarcely more dense. ..."

3. Walden; Or, Life in the Woods: Or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau (1893)
"It seemed as if I might next cast my line upward into the air, as well as downward into this element, which was scarcely more dense. ..."

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