scale

noun (1)

\ ˈskāl

Definition of scale

(Entry 1 of 7)

1a : either pan or tray of a balance

b : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends —usually used in plural

2 : an instrument or machine for weighing

scale

verb (1)

scaled; scaling

Definition of scale (Entry 2 of 7)

transitive verb

: to weigh in scales

intransitive verb

: to have a specified weight on scales

scale

noun (2)

Definition of scale (Entry 3 of 7)

1a : a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming part of the external body covering especially of a fish

b : a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale scales of mica the scales on a moth's wing

c : the scaly covering of a scaled animal

2 : a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin

3 : a thin coating, layer, or incrustation: such as

a : a usually black scaly coating of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (such as iron) when it is heated for processing

b : a hard incrustation usually rich in sulfate of calcium that is deposited on the inside of a vessel (such as a boiler) in which water is heated

4a : a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion

b : a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody bract

5a : any of the small overlapping usually metal pieces forming the outer surface of scale armor

b : scale armor

6a : scale insect

b : infestation with or disease caused by scale insects

scale

verb (2)

scaled; scaling

Definition of scale (Entry 4 of 7)

transitive verb

1 : to remove the scale or scales from (as by scraping) scale a fish

2 : to take off in thin layers or scales scale tartar from the teeth

3 : to throw (something, such as a thin, flat stone) so that the edge cuts the air or so that it skips on water : skim

intransitive verb

1 : to separate and come off in scales : flake

2 : to shed scales scaling skin

scale

verb (3)

scaled; scaling

Definition of scale (Entry 5 of 7)

transitive verb

1a : to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders scale a castle wall

b : to climb up or reach by means of a ladder

c : to reach the highest point of : surmount scale a mountain

2a : to arrange in a graduated series

b(1) : to measure by or as if by a scale

(2) : to measure or estimate the sound content of (logs, standing timber, etc.)

c : to pattern, make, regulate, set, or estimate according to some rate or standard : adjust a production schedule scaled to actual need —often used with back, down, or up scale down imports

intransitive verb

1 : to climb by or as if by a ladder

2 : to rise in a graduated series

3 : measure

scale

noun (3)

Definition of scale (Entry 6 of 7)

1a obsolete : ladder

b archaic : a means of ascent

2 : a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals

3 : something graduated especially when used as a measure or rule: such as

a : a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (such as the height of the mercury in a thermometer)

b : an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances

c : ruler sense 3

4a : a graduated series or scheme of rank or order a scale of taxation

b : minimum wage sense 2

5a : a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original)

b : a distinctive relative size, extent, or degree projects done on a large scale

6 : a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement

to scale

: according to the proportions of an established scale of measurement floor plans drawn to scale

scale

noun (4)

Definition of scale (Entry 7 of 7)

1 obsolete : escalade

2 : an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber

Other Words from scale

Noun (2)

scaled \ ˈskāld

\ adjective

scaleless \ ˈskāl-ləs

\ adjective

Noun (3)

scale

scale

Definition of scale

Other Words from scale

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