dearth

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

First attested in 1596. From Middle English derþe, probably from Old English *dierþu; corresponding to dear + -th.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /dɜːθ/, SAMPA: /d3`T/
• (US) IPA: /dɝːθ/, SAMPA: /d3`rT/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)θ

[edit] Noun

dearth (plural dearths)

1. A period or condition when food is rare and hence expensive; famine.
   • 1608, William Shakespeare, King Lear:

     I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed unhappily: as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.

2. (by extension) Scarcity; a lack or short supply.
3. (obsolete, rare) Dearness; the quality of being rare or costly.

[edit] Synonyms

• (period when food is rare): famine, shortage
• (scarcity): paucity, scarcity

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: adehrt
• dareth
• hatred
• thread