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The quality or state of being rare; rareness; thinness; as, the rarity (contrasted with the density) of gases.

so. The anatomy of a little child, representing all parts thereof, is accounted a greater rarity than the skeleton of a man in full stature. Fuller. They brought one Pinch, a hungry, lean-faced villain, A mere anatomy. Shak.

The quality of being dense, close, or thick; compactness; -- opposed to rarity.

ything which pleases the senses, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; as, silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury. He cut the side of a rock for a garden, and, by laying on it earth, furnished out a kind of luxury for a hermit. Addison.…

handsome cowry (Cypræa aurantia), highly valued by collectors of shells on account of its rarity. -- Orange grass (Bot.), an inconspicuous annual American plant (Hypericum Sarothra), having minute, deep yellow flowers. -- Orange oil (Chem.), an oily, terpenelike substance obtained from orange rind, and distinct from…

Temporarity. [Obs.] Hallywell.