curtal

American  

[kur-tl] / ˈkɜr tl /

adjective

1. Archaic. wearing a short frock.

   a curtal friar.

2. Obsolete. brief; curtailed.

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noun

1. a 16th-century bassoon.

2. Obsolete. an animal with a docked tail.

curtal British  

/ ˈkɜːtəl /

adjective

1. cut short

2. (of friars) wearing a short frock

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noun

1. an animal whose tail has been docked

2. something that is cut short

Etymology

Origin of curtal

1500–10; earlier courtault < Middle French, equivalent to court short ( see curt) + -ault, variant of -ald noun suffix; see ribald

Example Sentences

Tinselled fantasy is shrewdly banished; putty-coloured, sullen fairies slouch along to the hoots and rustles, sackbut and curtal of Claire van Kampen's eerie music.

From The Guardian • Jun. 8, 2013

It would seem that the manuscript is here imperfect, for we do not find the reasons which finally induce the curtal Friar to amend the King's cheer.

From Ivanhoe by Scott, Walter, Sir

And coming unto fair Fountain Dale, No farther would he ride: There was he 'ware of a curtal friar, Walking by the water-side.

From The Book of Brave Old Ballads by Gilbert, John, Sir

Take up thy dogs, said Little John, Friar, at my bidding thee; Whose man art thou, said the curtal friar, That comes here to prate to me?

From The Book of Brave Old Ballads by Gilbert, John, Sir

Now I may go in and out as I will, being a curtal friar and not now remembered in these parts.

From Robin Hood by Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers)