paucity

Definition

Fewness in number; too few.

Etymology

From Middle English paucete, paucite, paucyte, partly from Middle French paucité and partly from its etymon, Latin paucitās (“a small number, fewness, scarcity”), from paucus (“few, little”). Related to few.

Example Sentences

• "But when I had crossed the threshold, I was astonished at the paucity of facts to be gleaned from the inmates themselves."
• "This paucity of trains helps to explain why electrification is not planned between Paris and Belfort."
• "Your tax refund might be late, owing to a paucity of number crunchers."