Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Curtal /(kûr"tal)/ · Cur·tal · IPA /ˈkəːtəl/ a. n. 01 a. Curt; brief; laconic. 1. Curt; brief; laconic. “Essays and curtal aphorisms.” — Milton. Phrases & compounds Curtal dog — See Curtail dog. 02 n. A horse with a docked tail; hence, anything cut short. 1. A horse with a docked tail; hence, anything cut short.[Obs]