paucity
UK: ˈpɔːsɪti | US: ˈpɔːsɪti
n. scarcity or insufficient quantity of something; a lack
The word "paucity" originates from the Latin paucitas, derived from paucus (meaning "few"). The morpheme pauc- preserves the original Latin root, while -ity is a common English suffix forming abstract nouns (e.g., "diversity," "curiosity"). The term entered Middle English via Old French, retaining its core meaning of "smallness in number" or "insufficiency." Its logical progression reflects a direct link between the Latin root and modern usage, emphasizing quantitative deficiency.
The paucity of evidence made the case difficult to prove.
Despite the paucity of resources, the team completed the project.
A paucity of fresh water is a critical issue in arid regions.
The report highlighted the paucity of affordable housing in cities.
His argument suffered from a paucity of reliable data.