Adjective

(en adjective)

Widespread or preferred.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-03

, author=David S. Senchina , title=Athletics and Herbal Supplements , volume=101, issue=2, page=134 , magazine= citation , passage=Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent .}}

Superior in frequency or dominant.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=70, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Engineers of a different kind , passage=Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.

Adjective

(er)

Uncommon, rare; difficult to find; insufficient to meet a demand.

* (John Locke)

You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen one fifth in value.

* , chapter=3

, title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.}}

Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); used with of .

* (John Milton)

A region scarce of prey.