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curtal

adjective

cur·​tal ˈkər-tᵊl How to pronounce curtal (audio)
1
obsolete : having a docked tail
2
obsolete : brief, curtailed
3
archaic : wearing a short frock

Word History

Etymology

Middle French courtault, from court short, from Latin curtus

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtal was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Curtal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtal. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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