sparsely
UK: ˈspɑːsli | US: ˈspɑːrsli
adv. in a scattered or thinly distributed manner
adv. infrequently or in small quantities
The word "sparsely" derives from the Latin sparsus (past participle of spargere, meaning "to scatter"). The root sparse entered English via Middle French espars, retaining its core meaning of "scattered." The suffix -ly (from Old English -lice) transforms adjectives into adverbs, emphasizing manner or degree. Thus, "sparsely" literally means "in a scattered way," reflecting its Latin roots in spatial distribution.
The village was sparsely populated, with only a few houses per mile.
Trees grew sparsely in the arid desert landscape.
She decorated the room sparsely, preferring minimalism.
The documentary covered the topic sparsely, leaving many questions unanswered.
Resources were sparsely allocated, causing shortages in some areas.