curtal noun & adjective. ['kǝ:t(ǝ)l] L15.
[French courtault, -auld (now courtaud), from court short (ult. formed as CURT) + pejorative suffix -ault.]
A. noun.
1. A kind of short-barrelled cannon. obsolete exc. Hist. L15.

2. A horse or other animal with its tail docked; anything cut short. Now rare or obsolete. E16.

3. A rogue with a short cloak. slang. M16-E18.

4. Music. An early form of bassoon. L16.
b. adjective.
1. Shortened, short; abridged, curtailed; brief. L16-M17.

2. Of an animal: with a docked tail. L16-M17.

3. curtal friar, a friar with a short gown. arch. E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲