Word of the Day : December 8, 2020

paucity \PAW-suh-tee\ noun

Definition

1 : smallness of number : fewness

2 : smallness of quantity : dearth

Did You Know?

Here's a little information about paucity: the word was first recorded in English in the 15th century, and it comes to us from the Latin paucitas ("smallness of number"), which is derived from the adjective paucus ("little"). The word's origin informs its use; paucity can be used to refer to a littleness of numbers (as in "a paucity of facts/studies") or quantity ("a paucity of evidence"), or one can use paucity when speaking of abstract concepts, as in "a paucity of experience/knowledge."

Aired December 8, 2020

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com