SCANTLING (2)

Scant″ling, n. [[Cf. OF. eschantillon, F. échantillon, a sample, pattern, example. In some senses confused with scant insufficient. See Scantle, v. t.]] 1. 1. A fragment; a bit; a little piece. Specifically: (a) A piece or quantity cut for a special purpose; a sample.
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. Reducing them to narrow scantlings. Jer. Taylor. 2. 2. A piece of timber sawed or cut of a small size, as for studs, rails, etc.
3. 3. The dimensions of a piece of timber with regard to its breadth and thickness; hence, the measure or dimensions of anything.
4. 4. A rough draught; a rude sketch or outline.
5. 5. A frame for casks to lie upon; a trestle. Knight.