dearth etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: derth, from Old English deore "dear, precious, costly"
• Proto-Germanic: *diuri- "dear, precious"
• Proto-Indo-European: *dejr- "dear, beloved"

Meaning:

• Scarcity, shortage, or lack of something
• Figuratively, poverty or distress

Origin:

The word "dearth" originated in Old English as "deore," which meant "dear" or "precious." Over time, the meaning of "deore" shifted to denote scarcity or shortage. This shift in meaning likely occurred due to the association between high cost and scarcity. For example, if a commodity is scarce, its value becomes higher, making it more "dear."

The Proto-Germanic root *diuri- and the Proto-Indo-European root *dejr- also contribute to the meaning of "dearth." These roots carry the idea of something being held in high regard or valued, which aligns with the concept of scarcity.

In modern English, "dearth" primarily refers to a shortage of something essential, such as food, water, or resources. It can also be used figuratively to describe a lack of something desirable or important, such as love, happiness, or inspiration.

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