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Dearth

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:06 pm
by KatyBr
I thought I'd like to see this as a WOTD
dearth (dûrth)
n.
1. A scarce supply; a lack: "the dearth of uncensored, firsthand information about the war" Richard Zoglin.
2. Shortage of food; famine.

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[Middle English derthe, from Old English *dorthu, costliness, from dore, costly; see dear1.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun 1. dearth - an acute insufficiency
famine, shortage
deficiency, lack, want - the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable; "there is a serious lack of insight into the problem"; "water is the critical deficiency in desert regions"; "for want of a nail the shoe was lost"
2. dearth - an insufficient quantity or number
paucity
scarceness, scarcity - a small and inadequate amount
As in there is never a dearth of good words to suggest

Katy

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:16 pm
by Stargzer
Suggested Usage: "I wouldn't say Helen Bedde was a gold-digger, but I thought I heard her say 'Until dearth us do part' on the altar."