[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/scant/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / scant

# scant

adjective (scant) — formal or literary

«scant» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Scant means very little, hardly enough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#m1)
2. Scant can mean a bit less than a stated amount, as in «a scant teaspoon» (not quite a full one). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#m2)
3. Having a scant in your breath means being short of breath, so you puff when you climb. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#m3)

### In the lessons

In books and the formal exam voice it shows that there is not enough of something: «scant evidence», «paid scant attention». In cooking recipes «a scant cup» means slightly less than a full cup. Phrases: «scant attention», «scant regard», «scant evidence», «a scant cup».

### Examples

- There was scant food left after the party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x1)
- He paid scant attention to the warning signs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x2)
- The scientist said there was scant evidence for the claim. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x3)
- Add a scant teaspoon of salt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x4)
- The desert gets scant rain each year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x5)
- The explorers had scant hope of rescue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x6)
- Henceforth whenever I go up a hill, I shall have a scant in my breath and a pain in my chest." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/#x7)

### Note

Formal word; everyday words are «little», «hardly any», «not much». Used before uncountable nouns (scant attention, scant rain). Not «scanty» exactly: «scanty» often describes clothes that cover little. In recipes, «scant» means a little under the measure.

## In Jewish tradition

Too little or too short. The "scant measure" is a cheating measure used by dishonest merchants, and scant bread is a prisoner's meager food.

**Interpretation.** The law forbids false weights and measures, and Micah's words are read as a charge against cheating in business.

### Examples

- Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? (Prophets MIC.6.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/scant/#x1)
- and say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I come in peace.' (Prophets 1KI.22.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/scant/#x2)
- and say: Thus saith the king: Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with scant bread and with scant water, until I return in peace.' (Writings 2CH.18.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/scant/#x3)

### Note

Formal word; everyday words are «little», «hardly any», «not much». Used before uncountable nouns (scant attention, scant rain). Not «scanty» exactly: «scanty» often describes clothes that cover little. In recipes, «scant» means a little under the measure.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «scant» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scant/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«scant» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/scant.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «scant» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/scant/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«scant» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/scant.html) on Mova free.