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 ( curt ) + -ault, variant of -ald noun suffix; ribald

Example Sentences

Did not Tom Tankard rake his curtal t'o'er day standing in the stable?

From Project Gutenberg

"I am but a poor anchorite, a curtal friar," replied the other, pushing out for his side of the river.

From Project Gutenberg

The curtal friar in Fountain's Abbey Well can draw a good strong bow; He will beat both you and your yeomen, Set them all on a row.

From Project Gutenberg

I with ‘gallant curtal axe,’ dressed as a youth.

From Project Gutenberg

Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs: II.

From Project Gutenberg