Dictionary

scantling en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈskæntlɪŋ/

Etymology

Alteration of scantillon + -ling, from Old French escantillon (“sample pattern”) (Modern French échantillon). Later senses also influenced by similarity with scant.

Meanings

1. Not plentiful; small; scanty.
   • Heav'ns Glorie to atchieve, what scantling Span Hath the frail Pilgrimage of Man! 1652, Edward Benlowes, Theophila:

Forms

Synonyms

scant · raunchy · inadequate · sleazy · selcouth · seld · selly · skimpy · rare · infrequent · exiguous · seldom · sparse · deficient · insufficient · poor · geason · uncommon · dearthy · scantling · awanting · wanty · measly · unsufficient · superrare · unsatisfactory · in short supply · unfrequent · scanty · lousy · geason · lean · wanting · meager · scantling · dismal · spare · scarce · slender · threadbare · lank · raresome · paltry · scant · few and far between · scarce · non-common

scantling en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈskæntlɪŋ/

Etymology

Alteration of scantillon + -ling, from Old French escantillon (“sample pattern”) (Modern French échantillon). Later senses also influenced by similarity with scant.

Meanings

1. (countable, in-plural, uncountable) The set size or dimension of a piece of timber, stone etc., or materials used to build ships or aircraft.
2. (archaic, countable, uncountable) A small portion, a scant amount.
   • 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:
   • Reducing them to narrow scantlings. 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →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:
   • 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
3. (countable, uncountable) A small, upright beam of timber used in construction, especially less than five inches square.
4. (uncountable) Timber 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. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A rough draught; a crude sketch or outline.
6. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A 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:

Forms

Deriveds

scantlinged

Relateds

scantlings

Synonyms

strain · tidbit · speck · particle · whit · pennyworth · jot · spark · smidge · mite · crumb · tidge · ounce · scrap · lick · continental · dash · scooch · aught · thumbnail · tinge · whiff · smitch · jotting · flyspeck · smidgy · morceau · hoot · vestige · smidgen · semblance · relish · atomy · glint · smidget · scantling · atom · ooch · catagraph · dab · jot · smattering · tad · touch · diddly · dusting · scruple · pinch · speckle · tidbit · drop · tittle · dot · spatter · damn · spot · precedent · scintilla · inch · molecule · sprinkle · toddick · trace · iota · sprinkling · ace · fleck · sliver · thought · trifle · shred · modicum · flip · morsel · skosh · bissel · smithereen · hooter · skerrick · skoosh · soupçon · glimmer · tuppence worth · glimpse · mote · grain · hint · piece · halfpennyworth · scent · bit

Translations (7)

de Stiel (small upright beam of timber used in construction) · uk брус (timber in the form of small beams and pieces) · de Brett (timber in the form of small beams and pieces) · de Latte (timber in the form of small beams and pieces) · de Stütze (small upright beam of timber used in construction) · de Pfosten (small upright beam of timber used in construction) · de Kantholz (timber in the form of small beams and pieces)