Dearth, n.
Etymology: [OE. derthe, fr. dere. See Dear.]
Scarcity which renders dear; want; lack; specifically, lack of food on account of failure of crops; famine. There came a dearth over all the land of Egypt. Acts vii. 11. He with her press'd, she faint with dearth. Shak. Dearth of plot, and narrowness of imagination. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists dearth only as an antonym, under excess.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given