scanty
基本释义
[adjective] small or insufficient in quantity or amount
[形容词] 数量或数额少的或不足的
深入解读
Scanty 一词源自形容词 scant （ 一丁点的、少量的、不足的、欠缺的；刚刚够的、勉强够的、将近的、差一点点的）+形容词后缀 -y （充满或以之为特征）而来，17世纪出现在英语中后也是用来表示“不足的、欠缺的、太少的”。
但不同于 scant 仅用在名词前常作准否定词使用，或者侧重指未达到理想、期望或饱满的程度， scanty 主要强调在数量、数额、程度等上达不到基本的要求，比如：
- 这个农民的困境是由于歉收造成的。
The farmer’s adversity was caused by a scanty harvest. - 他们挤在滴水的树丛下，分食那少得可怜的晚餐。
They huddled under the dripping trees to eat their scanty supper.
从这个概念出发， scanty 后来还常被用来形容衣服因用料过少而使穿者“暴露的”，比如衣着暴露的模特（a model in scanty clothing）。
好书例句
The scanty, daringly short skirt, riding up at the knee to show a peep of white pantalette, is a potent weapon and transparent stockings, emeraldgartered, with the long straight seam trailing up beyond the knee, appeal to the better instincts of the blasé man about town.
窄小而毫无顾忌，只及膝盖的短裙，裙裾掀起，露出一抹白色宽松裤子，乃是强有力的武器。还有那透明的长袜，笔直的长长的棱线直伸到膝盖上端，再系上鲜绿色袜带，很投合城里玩厌了的人那种想别开生面的本能。
出自爱尔兰现代主义作家詹姆斯·乔伊斯（James Joyce）于1922年出版的长篇小说《尤利西斯》（Ulysses）。
外刊例句
- Details are scanty, but new American tariffs due this weekend are cancelled.
细节不多，但本周末到期的美国新关税被取消了。
——《经济学人》 - There are only three scanty seasons of this bleak workplace comedy, though given its sense of despair maybe that’s for the best.
这部惨淡的职场喜剧只有短短三季，不过考虑到它的绝望感，也许这是最好的。
——《纽约时报》
常见短语
常用短语：
- Scanty information (不足的信息) – Describing a small or insufficient amount of information.
- Example: The report only provided scanty information about the incident.
- Scanty resources (有限的资源) – Referring to a limited or inadequate amount of resources.
- Example: The organization struggled to operate with scanty resources.
- Scanty rainfall (稀少的降雨) – Describing a small or below-average amount of rainfall.
- Example: The agricultural sector suffered due to the scanty rainfall this year.
- Scanty evidence (有限的证据) – Referring to a lack of substantial or conclusive evidence.
- Example: The prosecution’s case relied on scanty evidence.
- Scanty clothing (暴露的服装) – Describing clothing that provides little coverage or is revealing.
- Example: She felt uncomfortable in the scanty clothing she was wearing.
- Scanty knowledge (有限的知识) – Referring to a limited or inadequate amount of knowledge or understanding.
- Example: His scanty knowledge of the subject prevented him from fully understanding the topic.
- Scanty resources (有限的资源) – Describing a scarce or insufficient amount of resources.
- Example: The organization struggled to meet its goals due to scanty resources.
- Scanty population (稀少的人口) – Referring to a small or sparse population in a particular area.
- Example: The remote village has a scanty population.
- Scanty growth (有限的增长) – Describing slow or minimal growth in a specific context.
- Example: The economy experienced scanty growth in the last quarter.
- Scanty meals (少量的饭菜) – Referring to meals that are small in portion or lacking in quantity.
- Example: The prisoners were provided with scanty meals.
- Scanty wages (微薄的工资) – Describing low or inadequate wages or salary.
- Example: Many workers struggle to make ends meet with their scanty wages.
- Scanty vegetation (稀疏的植被) – Referring to a sparse or limited amount of vegetation in an area.
- Example: The desert region has scanty vegetation.
- Scanty knowledge (有限的知识) – Describing a lack of comprehensive or in-depth knowledge on a subject.
- Example: He could only offer scanty knowledge on the historical event.
- Scanty details (不充分的细节) – Referring to a lack of specific or detailed information.
- Example: The police report provided scanty details about the crime scene.
- Scanty progress (缓慢的进展) – Describing slow or limited progress in a particular endeavor.
- Example: The project made scanty progress despite the team’s efforts.
- Scanty support (有限的支持) – Referring to a lack of substantial or sufficient support.
- Example: The candidate withdrew from the election due to scanty support.
- Scanty budget (有限的预算) – Describing a small or insufficient amount of budget allocated for a project or activity.
- Example: The marketing campaign had to be scaled back due to a scanty budget.
- Scanty attendance (稀少的出席) – Referring to a small or minimal number of people attending an event or gathering.
- Example: The conference had scanty attendance this year.
- Scanty opportunities (有限的机会) – Describing a limited or scarce number of opportunities available.
- Example: The job market offers scanty opportunities for recent graduates.
- Scanty coverage (不完全的报道) – Referring to incomplete or inadequate media coverage of an event or topic.
- Example: The newspaper article provided scanty coverage of the important issue.
- Scanty support (有限的支持) – Describing a lack of substantial or sufficient support.
- Example: The project faced challenges due to scanty support from stakeholders.
- Scanty evidence (有限的证据) – Referring to a lack of substantial or conclusive evidence.
- Example: The defense presented scanty evidence to support their case.
- Scanty knowledge (有限的知识) – Describing a limited or inadequate amount of knowledge or understanding.
- Example: Her scanty knowledge of the subject hindered her ability to contribute to the discussion.
- Scanty results (不充分的结果) – Referring to outcomes or findings that are limited or inconclusive.
- Example: The experiment yielded scanty results, requiring further investigation.
- Scanty investment (有限的投资) – Describing a small or insufficient amount of investment in a project or venture.
- Example: The company’s scanty investment in research and development affected its competitiveness.
- Scanty coverage (不全面的报道) – Referring to media coverage that is incomplete or lacking in depth.
- Example: The news article provided scanty coverage of the political scandal.
- Scanty details (不充足的细节) – Describing a lack of specific or sufficient details about something.
- Example: The contract provided scanty details about the terms and conditions.
- Scanty resources (有限的资源) – Referring to a limited or inadequate amount of resources.
- Example: The organization struggled to achieve its goals due to scanty resources.
- Scanty wardrobe (少量的衣物) – Describing a small or limited collection of clothing.
- Example: She had a scanty wardrobe and often wore the same outfits.
- Scanty profits (微薄的利润) – Referring to low or meager profits in a business or financial context.
- Example: The company’s financial report showed scanty profits for the year.
同近义词
scarce: (especially of food, money, or some other resource) insufficient for the demand
meager: (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality
scant: barely sufficient or adequate
