The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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         Essays and curtal aphorisms.             --Milton.
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   Curtal dog. See Curtail dog.
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