The Collaborative International Dictionary
Curtal \Cur"tal\ (k[^u]r"tal), a. [OF. courtault, F. courtaud, having a docked tail (cf. It. cortaldo), fr. court short, L. curtus. See Curt, and Curtail.] Curt; brief; laconic.
Essays and curtal aphorisms.
--Milton.
Curtal dog. See Curtail dog.
Curtal \Cur"tal\, n.
A horse with a docked tail; hence, anything cut short. [Obs]
--Nares.
Wiktionary
a. 1 (context obsolete English) Of horses, having a docked tail. 2 (context now rare English) Physically shortened; short. 3 (context obsolete English) abridged, curtailed. n. 1 (context historical English) A variety of short-barrelled cannon. 2 (context obsolete English) A horse or other animal having a docked tail. 3 (context music English) An early type of bassoon.
WordNet
adj. (obsolete) cut short; "a dog with a curtal tail"
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "curtal".
Here is a Curtal Friar* not far off, that for a hundred pound will shoot at what distance yourself will propound, either with Midge or with yourself.
Our Friar, however, is undoubtedly so called from his Curtal dogs, or curs, as we now say.
This being done, he ran down into the dale, where he found the Curtal Friar walking by the water side.
Robin Hood, coming near unto him, alighted from his horse, which he tied to a thorn that grew hard by, and looking wistfully on the Friar, said unto him, "Carry me over the water, thou Curtal Friar, or else thy life lies at the stake.
Little John did so bestir himself, that the Curtal Friar, admiring at his courage and his nimbleness, did ask him who he was.
Now some of you clothe yourselves as curtal friars, and some as rustic peasants, and some as tinkers, or as beggars, but see that each man taketh a good bow or broadsword, in case need should arise.
He is known as the Curtal Friar of Fountain Abbey, and dwelleth in Fountain Dale.
The words CURTAL SONNET had flashed before his, Hogg's, Enderby's, eyes, and the rhymes had lined up for inspection.