Paucity Meaning and Definition
Paucity
Pronunciation
/ˈpɔːsɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A scarcity or shortage of something, especially a lack of resources or opportunities.
Examples
- The paucity of funding led to the cancellation of the project.
- The rural area suffered from a paucity of healthcare services.
Synonyms
- Scarcity
- Lack
Antonyms
- Abundance
- Surplus
Additional Information
The concept of paucity is often used in economics to describe a shortage of resources, such as a paucity of skilled labor or a paucity of natural resources. It can also be used to describe a lack of opportunities or services, such as a paucity of educational resources in a disadvantaged area.
In everyday language, paucity is often used to express a sense of scarcity or inadequacy. For example, someone might say “there’s a paucity of good restaurants in this area” to indicate that there are not many options.
Etymology
The word “paucity” comes from the Latin “paucitas,” meaning “smallness” or “fewness.”
Usage Notes
Paucity is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as academic writing or business reports. It can also be used in everyday language to add precision and nuance to descriptions of scarcity or shortage.
Cultural References
The concept of paucity has been explored in literature and art, where it is often used to symbolize themes of scarcity, lack, and limitation.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- A paucity of options
- A paucity of resources
Related Words or Phrases
- Scarcity
- Rarity
Collocations
- Paucity of funding
- Paucity of resources
Frequency of Use
Paucity is a moderately rare word, used primarily in formal or technical contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Paucityy