Dearthy
/ˈdɜːr.θi/noun
Marked by dearth; scarce, lacking, or characterized by scarcity.
Did you know?The noun “dearth” originally referred to preciousness or high cost before developing its modern meaning of scarcity, probably because expensive goods were difficult to obtain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*diurīþō
“Preciousness, value, or dearness; the reconstructed ancestor associated with “dearth””
Old English
Old English
dēorþu
“Dearness, preciousness, or high value”
Middle English
Middle English
derthe
“Dearness, scarcity, or high price; the meaning shifted toward lack and shortage”
14th–15th Century
English
derth / dearth
“Scarcity, especially of food or essential goods”
Modern English
English
dearthy
“Scarce, deficient, or characterized by dearth”