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.
SCANTLY
Scant"ly, adv.
1. In a scant manner; not fully or sufficiently; narrowly; penuriously. Dryden.