scantling
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Alteration of scantillon, by association with -ling. Later senses also influenced by similarity with scant.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
scantling (plural scantlings)
- (chiefly in the plural) The set size or dimension of a piece of timber, stone etc., or materials used to build ships or aircraft.
- (archaic) A small portion, a scant amount.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 204:
- For one may have particular knowledge of the nature of one river, and experience of the qualitie of one fountaine, that in other things knowes no more than another man: who neverthelesse to publish this little scantling, will undertake to write all of the Physickes.
- Francis Bacon
- Such as exceed not this scantling, to be solace to the sovereign and harmless to the people.
- Milton
- A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by his deferring to be baptized so many years.
- Jeremy Taylor
- Reducing them to narrow scantlings.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 204:
- A small, upright timber used in construction, especially less than five inches square.
- (obsolete) A rough draught; a crude sketch or outline.
- (obsolete) A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)
See also [edit]
Adjective [edit]
scantling (comparative more scantling, superlative most scantling)
- Not plentiful; small; scanty.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Jeremy Taylor to this entry?)
