SCANT'LING, noun 1. A pattern; a quantity cut for a particular purpose. 2. A small quantity; as a scantling of wit. 3. A certain proportion or quantity. 4. In the United States, timber sawed or cut into pieces of a small size, as for studs, rails, etc. This seems to be allied to the Latin scandula, and it is the sense in which I have ever heard it used in this country. 5. In seamen's language, the dimensions of a piece of timber, with regard to its breadth and thickness. SCANT'LING, adjective Not plentiful; small. [Not in use.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI