minimal vs scant

minimal

noun
  • Something very small; a tiny part or fragment. 

adj
  • Characterised by the use of simple form or structures. 

  • Characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases. 

  • The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree. 

scant

noun
  • A small piece or quantity. 

  • A sheet of stone. 

  • Scarcity; lack. 

  • A slightly thinner measurement of a standard wood size. 

  • A block of stone sawn on two sides down to the bed level. 

verb
  • To fail, or become less; to scantle. 

  • To limit in amount or share; to stint. 

adj
  • Not full, large, or plentiful; scarcely sufficient; scanty; meager. 

  • Sparing; parsimonious; chary. 

det
  • Very little, very few. 

How often have the words minimal and scant occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )