Standard Lemma guide

scantling

adj · noun · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈskæntlɪŋ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not plentiful; small; scanty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

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

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The set size or dimension of a piece of timber, stone etc., or materials used to build ships or aircraft.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, in-plural, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A small portion, a scant amount.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

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

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A small, upright beam of timber used in construction, especially less than five inches square.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Timber in the form of small beams and pieces.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

A rough draught; a crude sketch or outline.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: catagraph, jotting, precedent, thumbnail

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, obsolete, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

an upright in house framing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stud

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: upright, vertical

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Stiel — small upright beam of timber used in construction
  • German: Pfosten — small upright beam of timber used in construction
  • German: Stütze — small upright beam of timber used in construction
  • German: Latte — timber in the form of small beams and pieces
  • German: Kantholz — timber in the form of small beams and pieces
  • German: Brett — timber in the form of small beams and pieces
  • Ukrainian: брус (brus) — timber in the form of small beams and pieces