Category:Scantling

Scant"ling, a. Etym: [see scant, a.]

Defn: not plentiful; small; scanty. [obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Scantling Scant"ling, n. Etym: [cf. Of. eschantillon, f. échantillon, 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.] Such as exceed not this scantling; -- to be solace to the sovereign And harmless to the people. Bacon. A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by his deferring to be Baptized so many years. Milton.

(b) a small quantity; a little bit; not much. [obs.] Reducing them to narrow scantlings. Jer. Taylor.

2. A piece of timber sawed or cut of a small size, as for studs, Rails, etc.

3. The dimensions of a piece of timber with regard to its breadth and Thickness; hence, the measure or dimensions of anything.

4. A rough draught; a rude sketch or outline.

5. A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle. Knight.