Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Curtal
Cur′tal (k?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.
Cur′tal, n. A horse with a docked tail; hence, anything cut short. [Obs] Nares.