rare´ness

rare´ness
rare1 «rair», adjective, rar|er, rar|est.
1. seldom seen or found: »

Peacocks and storks are rare birds in the United States. The three-o'clock in the morning courage which Bonaparte thought was the rarest (Thoreau).

2. not happening often; unusual; »

a rare event. Snow is rare in Florida.

SYNONYM(S): infrequent, uncommon.
3. unusually good or great: »

rare beauty. Edison had rare powers as an inventor.

4. not dense; thin: »

The higher you go above the earth, the rarer the air is.

[< Latin rārus]
rare´ness, noun.
Synonym Study 1 Rare, scarce mean not often or easily found. Rare describes something uncommon or unusual at any time and often suggests excellence or value above the ordinary: »

The Gutenberg Bible is a rare book.

Scarce describes something usually or formerly common or plentiful but not easily available at the present time: »

Water is scarce in some parts of the country.

rare2 «rair», adjective, rar|er, rar|est.
not cooked much: »

a rare steak.

SYNONYM(S): underdone.
[variant of rear3, Old English hrēr lightly cooked]
rare´ness, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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