n. [ OE. derthe, fr. dere. See Dear. ] Scarcity which renders dear; want; lack; specifically, lack of food on account of failure of crops; famine. [ 1913 Webster ]
There came a dearth over all the land of Egypt. Acts vii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]
He with her press'd, she faint with dearth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Dearth of plot, and narrowness of imagination. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]