sparse

 
Pronunciation: /spɑːs/

adjective

  • thinly dispersed or scattered: areas of sparse population
  • scanty; in short supply: information on earnings is sparse

Derivatives

sparsely

adverb

sparseness

noun

sparsity

noun

Origin:

early 18th century (used to describe writing in the sense 'widely spaced'): from Latin sparsus, past participle of spargere 'scatter'