Definition of sparse

The word "sparse" can be traced back to the Old English word "spers," meaning "scattered" or "thinly distributed." This word evolved through Middle English into "spars" in the late 14th century, which eventually transformed into the modern English word "sparse" by the 16th century. The origin of "sparse" can be connected to its original meaning of "scattered" or "thinly distributed." This can be seen in its earliest uses in literature, where it was often used to describe areas that were not densely populated or lacked resources. For instance, the historian William Camden used "sparsa fruitus" to describe an area with sparse fruit-bearing trees in his 16th-century work "Britannia." In addition to its linguistic history, "sparse" has also been associated with mathematical concepts of density and distribution. In geometry, a sparse set is one that is spread out and does not form a dense configuration. This usage of "sparse" is related to its origin as a word describing a thinly distributed phenomenon. Overall, the word "sparse" has evolved over time, but its origin in Old English retains its relevance in modern usage, providing us with a clear and meaningful definition that ties back to its etymological roots.