Definition

Noun: 1. The quality or state of being extremely small or scanty in amount or extent; meagerness. It refers to a pronounced insufficiency, scantiness, or narrowness.

Usage and Examples

Noun: - The primary use is to describe a severe lack or insufficiency in quantity, size, or degree. - The exiguity of the food supplies forced the explorers to turn back. - Critics noted the exiguity of evidence supporting the new theory. - The exiguity of his income made saving money impossible.

Advanced Usage

• Formal and Literary Context: "Exiguity" is a formal, somewhat literary word, often used in academic, critical, or descriptive writing to emphasize a striking or problematic scarcity.
  • The report highlighted the exiguity of resources allocated to public health.
• Describing Abstract and Concrete Nouns: It can describe both tangible things (like resources, space) and intangible things (like evidence, talent).
  • The exiguity of the apartment was its main drawback. (Concrete)
  • Despite the exiguity of her experience, she performed brilliantly. (Abstract)

Variants and Related Words

• Exiguous (adjective): Extremely small in amount or size; meager.
  • They survived on an exiguous diet of roots and berries.
• Exiguousness (noun): A less common synonym for "exiguity," meaning the state of being exiguous.

Synonyms

• Meagerness / Meagreness
• Scantiness
• Insufficiency
• Paucity
• Sparseness

Antonyms

• Abundance
• Plenitude
• Amplitude
• Profusion
• Copiousness

Notes on Usage

• Register: This is a high-register, formal term. In everyday conversation, words like "scarcity," "lack," or "shortage" are more common.
• Prepositions: Commonly used with "of" (the exiguity something).
• Connotation: The word often carries a negative connotation, implying that the small amount is inadequate or disappointing.

Noun

1. the quality of being meager
   • an exiguity of cloth that would only allow of miniature capes-George Eliot