scant
UK[skænt]US[skænt]
adj
barely sufficient or adequate
adj
existing in small amounts; meager
v
to provide or deal with inadequately; skimp
Etymology
the word 'scant' entered middle english from old norse 'skamt', meaning 'short'. its journey reflects a semantic shift from the concrete measurement of physical length to the abstract measurement of quantity or sufficiency. the underlying logic connects the idea of 'shortness' in distance or duration to a 'shortfall' or insufficiency in amount. this evolution from a spatial to a quantitative deficit is a common metaphorical pathway in language development, resulting in the modern meanings of barely adequate or meager.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is derived from the old norse adjective 'skamt', the neuter form of 'skammr', meaning 'short, brief'.
Examples
he paid scant attention to the instructions.
there is scant evidence to support such a broad claim.
the company was accused of scanting on safety measures to cut costs.