/skant"ling/ , n.
1. a timber of relatively slight width and thickness, as a stud or rafter in a house frame.
2. such timbers collectively.
3. the width and thickness of a timber.
4. the dimensions of a building stone.
5. Naut.
a. a dressed timber or rolled metal member used as a framing member in a vessel.
b. the dimension, in cross section, of a framing member.
6. a small quantity or amount.
[ 1520-30; SCANT + -LING 1 ; r. ME scantilon escantillon gauge ]