The spelling of the word "exiguous" is not intuitive, as it is not spelled the way it is pronounced. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), it is pronounced /ɪɡˈzɪɡ.ju.əs/. The first syllable is pronounced like the word "dig," the second syllable like "zig" with a soft "j" sound, and the final syllable like "us." This word means small, meager, or insufficient. Despite its unusual spelling, it is a useful word to have in one's vocabulary for precise communication.
Exiguous is an adjective that describes something that is extremely small, meager, or scanty in amount, quantity, or size. It implies a level of insignificance or insufficiency. The term is commonly used to refer to something that lacks in substance or is barely sufficient.
The word can be applied to physical objects, such as an exiguous portion of food or an exiguous sum of money, indicating that the amount is notably inadequate or insufficient. In this sense, exiguous often conveys the idea of scarcity or scarceness.
Exiguous can also describe abstract things, such as exiguous evidence or exiguous information, suggesting that there is a severe shortage or dearth of facts or knowledge. It implies that the available evidence or information is notably lacking in depth, breadth, or comprehensiveness.
Furthermore, exiguous can be used to depict something that is extremely narrow, meager, or limited in scope or extent. For instance, an exiguous understanding of a complex subject indicates a superficial or superficial grasp of the topic.
Overall, exiguous is a term that denotes a dearth, inadequacy, or scarcity of something, whether it be physical, abstract, or conceptual. Its usage conveys the idea of something being notably small, scanty, or meager, often emphasizing its insubstantiality or lack of sufficiency.
The word "exiguous" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "exiguus", which means "small" or "meager". The Latin word itself is derived from the verb "exigere", meaning "to drive out" or "to weigh". Over time, the meaning of "exiguous" has evolved to describe something scanty, meager, or barely sufficient.