scarceness

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: scarce=ness

CIDE DICTIONARY

scarceness, n. 

 The quality or condition of being scarce; smallness of quantity in proportion to the wants or demands; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury; as, a scarcity of grain; a great scarcity of beauties.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]
"A scarcity of snow would raise a mutiny at Naples."  [1913 Webster]
"Praise . . . owes its value to its scarcity."  [1913 Webster]
"The value of an advantage is enhanced by its scarceness."  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- Deficiency; lack; want; penury; dearth; rareness; rarity; infrequency.