Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Scantling?

\Scant"ling\, a. [See {Scant}, a.] Not plentiful; small; scanty. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
\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.] 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.