exiguous

[ ig-zig-yoo-uhs, ik-sig- ]

adjective

1. scanty; meager; small; slender:

   exiguous income.

exiguous

/ ˌɛksɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ; ɪkˈsɪɡ-; ɪɡˈzɪɡjʊəs /

adjective

1. scanty or slender; meagre

   an exiguous income

Derived Forms

• exiguity, noun
• exˈiguously, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·i·gu·i·ty [ek-si-, gyoo, -i-tee], ex·igu·ous·ness noun
• ex·igu·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exiguous¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin exiguus “scanty in measure or number, small,” equivalent to exig(ere) “to drive out, measure, exact” + -uus adjective suffix; exigent, -ous ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of exiguous¹

C17: from Latin exiguus, from exigere to weigh out; see exigent

Example Sentences

Now in its 84th impression in Spanish, it remains a fixture on the exiguous shelves devoted to Latin America in bookshops in Europe and the United States.

From Economist

Beecroft's rationale for proposing a whole series of changes weakening employment protection was the assertion, offered without evidence, that workers use their exiguous protections to get away with working below capacity.

From The Guardian

Elizabeth is effectively obliterated and yet one immediately recognises her from this exiguous after-image.

From The Guardian

He sat down on one of the specially designed artistic chairs of the Associated Booksellers' Trading Union and produced an exiguous lady's handkerchief, extraordinarily belaced.

From Project Gutenberg

To extend these limits, which confined in so exiguous a compass our therapeutic agents, has been the laborious and singular study of Hahnemann and his disciples.

From Project Gutenberg