scantling

[ skant-ling ]
/ ˈskænt lɪŋ /

noun

a timber of relatively slight width and thickness, as a stud or rafter in a house frame.
such timbers collectively.
the width and thickness of a timber.
the dimensions of a building stone.
Nautical.
  1. a dressed timber or rolled metal member used as a framing member in a vessel.
  2. the dimension, in cross section, of a framing member.
a small quantity or amount.

Origin of scantling

1520–30; scant + -ling1; replacing Middle English scantilon < Old French escantillon gauge

Words nearby scantling

scanning probe microscope, scanning tunneling microscope, scansion, scansorial, scant, scantling, scantlings, scanty, scanzoni's maneuver, scapa flow, scape

Words related to scantlings

girder, scaffolding, joist, shaft, pillar, pole, plank, timber, sill, strip, bail, bolster, stanchion, prop, trestle, pile, boom, stud, spar

Example sentences from the Web for scantlings

British Dictionary definitions for scantlings (1 of 2)

scantlings
/ (ˈskæntlɪŋz) /

pl n

the structural casings of the internal gas paths in an aeroengine

British Dictionary definitions for scantlings (2 of 2)

scantling
/ (ˈskæntlɪŋ) /

noun

a piece of sawn timber, such as a rafter, that has a small cross section
the dimensions of a piece of building material or the structural parts of a ship, esp those in cross section
a building stone, esp one that is more than 6 feet in length
a small quantity or amount

Word Origin for scantling

C16: changed (through influence of scant and -ling 1) from earlier scantillon, a carpenter's gauge, from Old Norman French escantillon, ultimately from Latin scandere to climb; see scan