A spalting knife. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Spell a splinter. ] 1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [ Prov. Eng. & Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Shipbuilding) A strengthening cross timber. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule. ] The shoulder. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter. ] A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. (Mining) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Masonry) To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self-conceit. ] A scamp; an Irish term for a good-for-nothing fellow; -- often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell. ] (Metal.) Spelter. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ Cf. OE. spalden. See Spalt, a. ] To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [ Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See 1st Spell. ] 1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. [ Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]