rarity

rarity
UK [ˈreərətɪ] / US [ˈrerətɪ] noun
Word forms "rarity":
singular rarity plural rarities
1) [singular] something that does not happen often

Visits by presidential candidates are a rarity here.

2) [countable] someone or something that is admired or valued because you do not often see or find them

Bananas, once rarities in Soviet states, are now widely available.

He is that rarity: a true man of science.

3) [uncountable] the fact that something is unusual or does not happen often

The importance of the find lies in its rarity.


English dictionary. 2014.

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  • Rarity — Rar i*ty (r[a^]r [i^]*t[y^]; 277), n.; pl. {Rarities} (r[a^]r [i^]*t[i^]z). [L. raritas: cf. F. raret[ e]. See {Rare}.] 1. The quality or state of being rare; rareness; thinness; as, the rarity (contrasted with the density) of gases. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rarity — can refer to:* something that is rare or scarcePeople, including: *John Rarity, English physicist …   Wikipedia

  • rarity — index exception (exclusion), improbability, irregularity, phenomenon (unusual occurrence), specialty (distinctive mark …   Law dictionary

  • rarity — 1550s, fewness, from M.Fr. rarité (16c.) or directly from L. raritas thinness, fewness, from rarus (see RARE (Cf. rare) (adj.1)). Meaning thinness is from 1640s; noun sense of a rare thing or event: is from 1590s …   Etymology dictionary

  • rarity — ► NOUN (pl. rarities) 1) the state or quality of being rare. 2) a rare thing …   English terms dictionary

  • rarity — [rer′ə tē] n. [L raritas] 1. the quality or condition of being rare; specif., a) uncommonness; scarcity b) excellence c) lack of density; thinness 2. pl. rarities something remarkable or valuable because rare …   English World dictionary

  • rarity — [[t]re͟ərɪti[/t]] rarities 1) N COUNT: usu sing, oft N in/among n If someone or something is a rarity, they are interesting or valuable because they are so unusual. [JOURNALISM] Motorized wheelchairs are a rarity here... He was a rarity among… …   English dictionary

  • Rarity — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Rarity >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 rarity rarity tenuity Sgm: N 1 absence of solidity absence of solidity &c. 321 Sgm: N 1 subtility subtility Sgm: N 1 subtilty subtilty subtlety Sgm: N 1 sponginess …   English dictionary for students

  • rarity — /rair i tee/, n., pl. rarities. 1. something rare, unusual, or uncommon: Snowstorms are a rarity in the South. 2. something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious: That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price. 3. the… …   Universalium

  • rarity — rar|i|ty [ˈreərıti US ˈrer ] n plural rarities 1.) be a rarity to not happen or exist very often ▪ Visitors were a rarity in the village. 2.) something that is valuable or interesting because it is rare ▪ Some of these plants are national… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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