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

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

And whether his men shot east or west, Or they shot north or south, The curtal dogs, so taught they were, They caught the arrows in their mouth.

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

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

From Valerie by Marryat, Frederick

I tell you, I will not be made a curtal for no man's pleasure.

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 7 by Various

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