Source : 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}.