- Scantling
- Scantling Scant"ling, n. [Cf. OF. eschantillon, F.
['e]chantillon, a sample, pattern, example. In some senses
confused with scant insufficient. See {Scantle}, v. t.]
1. A fragment; a bit; a little piece. Specifically:
(a) A piece or quantity cut for a special purpose; a
sample. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Such as exceed not this scantling; -- to be solace to the sovereign and harmless to the people. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by his deferring to be baptized so many years. --Milton. [1913 Webster] (b) A small quantity; a little bit; not much. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Reducing them to narrow scantlings. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
2. A piece of timber sawed or cut of a small size, as for studs, rails, etc. [1913 Webster]
3. The dimensions of a piece of timber with regard to its breadth and thickness; hence, the measure or dimensions of anything. [1913 Webster]
4. A rough draught; a rude sketch or outline. [1913 Webster]
5. A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.