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curtal. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
curtal, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
curtal in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
curtal you have here. The definition of the word
curtal will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
curtal, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From older French courtault (modern French courtaud), from court (“short”) + -ault (pejorative suffix).
Pronunciation
Noun
curtal (plural curtals)
- (historical) A variety of short-barrelled cannon.
- (music) An early type of bassoon.
- (obsolete) A horse or other animal having a docked tail.
- (obsolete) Anything docked or cut short.
Adjective
curtal (comparative more curtal, superlative most curtal)
- (obsolete) Of horses, having a docked tail.
- (now rare) Physically shortened; short.
1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin, published 2011, page 98:she had loosened her hair and changed into the curtal frock of sunbright cotton that he was so fond of and had so ardently yearned to soil in the so recent past.
- (obsolete) Abridged, curtailed.
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