Dictionary Definition

dearth

1 an acute insufficiency [syn: famine, shortage]

2 an insufficient quantity or number [syn: paucity]

User Contributed Dictionary

First attested in 1596. From derþe, probably from *dierþu; corresponding to dear + -th.

A period or condition when food is rare and hence expensive; famine.
- 1608, William Shakespeare, King Lear:
  
  I promise you, the effects he writes of succeed unhappily: as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent; death, dearth, dissolutions of ancient amities; divisions in state, menaces and maledictions against king and nobles; needless diffidences, banishment of friends, dissipation of cohorts, nuptial breaches, and I know not what.
In the context of "by extension": Scarcity; a lack or short supply.
In the context of "obsolete|rare": Dearness; the quality of being rare or costly.

period when food is rare

scarcity

Dearth attended Scurry-Rosser High School in Scurry, Texas and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he was a starter at both, quarterback and middle linebacker, and was an All-State honoree at both positions.

Dearth was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft.

Long snapped in the Wild Card Playoff Game loss against the New England Patriots.
Recorded a special teams tackle while serving as the long snapper on placekicker Mike Nugent’s three FGs and two XPs in the week 17 win vs. OAK.
Long snapped on K Mike Nugent’s two successful FGs and one XP.