scantling

plural scantlings

1. countablein pluraluncountableThe set size or dimension of a piece of timber, stone etc., or materials used to build ships or aircraft.
2. archaiccountableuncountableA small portion, a scant amount.

   Reducing them to narrow scantlings.

   1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC

   3 more examples

   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.

   , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.204

   Such as exceed not this scantling, to be solace to the sovereign and harmless to the people.

   1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Honor and Reputation”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

   A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by his deferring to be baptized so many years.

   1641 May, John Milton, Of Reformation Touching Church-Discipline in England: And the Causes that hitherto have Hindred it. […], [London]: […] Thomas Vnderhill, →OCLC

   Synonyms: jot, tidbit, ace, atom, thought, atomy, aught, bissel

3. countableuncountableA small, upright beam of timber used in construction, especially less than five inches square.
4. uncountableTimber in the form of small beams and pieces.

   Victor, with hammer and nails and scraps of scantling, was patching a corner of one of the galleries.

   1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening

5. countableobsoleteuncountableA rough draught; a crude sketch or outline.

   Synonyms: catagraph, jotting, precedent, thumbnail

6. countableobsoleteuncountableA frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle.

   These casks should be placed upon scantling or scaffolding , and not upon the ground in the cellar

   1855, The Vine

comparative more scantling · superlative most scantling

1. Not plentiful; small; scanty.

   Heav'ns Glorie to atchieve, what scantling Span Hath the frail Pilgrimage of Man!

   1652, Edward Benlowes, Theophila

   Synonyms: awanting, deficient, dismal, exiguous, geason, inadequate, insufficient, lank