Definition of "scantling"

For one may have particular knowledge of the nature of one river, and experience of the qualitie of one fountaine, that in other things knowes no more than another man: who neverthelesse to publish this little scantling, will undertake to write all of the Physickes.

1603, Michel de Montaigne, translated by John Florio, The Essayes […], London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […]

Such as exceed not this scantling, to be solace to the sovereign and harmless to the people.

1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Honor and Reputation”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret

A pretty scantling of his knowledge may taken by his deferring to be baptized so many years.

1641 May, John Milton, Of Reformation Touching Church-Discipline in England: And the Cavvses that hitherto have Hindred it; republished as Will Taliaferro Hale, editor, Of Reformation Touching Church-Discipline in England (Yale Studies in English; LIV), New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1916

Reducing them to narrow scantlings.

1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […]

Victor, with hammer and nails and scraps of scantling, was patching a corner of one of the galleries.

1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening

These casks should be placed upon scantling or scaffolding , and not upon the ground in the cellar

1855, The Vine

Heav'ns Glorie to atchieve, what scantling Span Hath the frail Pilgrimage of Man!

1652, Edward Benlowes, Theophila