SCANT, verb transitive To limit; to straiten; as, to scant one in provisions; to scant ourselves in the use of necessaries; to scant a garment in cloth. I am scanted in the pleasure of dwelling on your actions. SCANT, verb intransitive To fail or become less; as, the wind scants. SCANT, adjective 1. Not full, large or plentiful; scarcely sufficient; rather less than is wanted for the purpose; as a scant allowance of provisions or water; a scant pattern of cloth for a garment. 2. Sparing; parsimonious; cautiously affording. Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence. [Not in use.] 3. Not fair, free or favorable for a ship's course; as a scant wind. SCANT, adverb Scarcely; hardly; not quite. The people - received of the bankers scant twenty shillings for thirty. [Obsolete or vulgar.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI