Word of the Day

: April 13, 2008

paucity

noun PAW-suh-tee

What It Means

1 : smallness of number : fewness

2 : smallness of quantity : dearth

paucity in Context

The manager overheard two customers complaining about the paucity of stylish designs in the store.

Did You Know?

"Paucity," which was first recorded in English in the 15th century, comes to us from the Middle English word "paucite," and is ultimately derived from "paucus," Latin for "little." It is not surprising, then, that "paucity" came to refer to a "littleness" of numbers (as in "a paucity of facts or studies") or quantity ("a paucity of evidence"). One can even use paucity when speaking of abstract concepts, as in "a paucity of experience or knowledge."