The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Scarce \Scarce\ (sk[^a]rs), a. [Compar. Scarcer
   (sk[^a]r"s[~e]r); superl. Scarcest.] [OE. scars, OF.
   escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, excarpsus, for L. excerptus,
   p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to
   shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See Carpet, and cf.
   Excerp.]
   1. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion
      to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon.
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            You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and
            therefore risen one fifth in value.   --Locke.
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            The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a
            medallion well preserved.             --Addison.
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   2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of.
      [Obs.] "A region scarce of prey." --Milton.
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   3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [Obs.] "Too scarce
      ne too sparing." --Chaucer.
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   To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [Slang]
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   Syn: Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare.
        [1913 Webster] Scarce