scantling

Etymology

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

noun

1. (chiefly in the plural) The set size or dimension of a piece of timber, stone etc., or materials used to build ships or aircraft.
2. (archaic) A small portion, a scant amount.
   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. 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. (obsolete) A rough draught; a crude sketch or outline.
6. (obsolete) 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

adj

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