23. scale a series of marks laid down at determinate distances, as along a line, for purposes of measurement or computation: the scale of a thermometer.
24. scale a graduated line, as on a map, representing proportionate size.
25. scale the ratio of distances on a map to corresponding values on the surface of the earth.
1. (noun)scale a range of numbers for measuringthings and comparing them to others an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale; On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give the movie a 9.
3. (noun)Scale one of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid
4. (noun)Scale hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc
5. (noun)Scale one of the small scalelike structures coveringparts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera
7. (noun)Scale a smallappendagelike a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form, and often in arrangement; as, the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like. The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns
10. (noun)Scale the thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. Also, a similar coating upon other metals
11. (noun)Scale a ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending
12. (noun)Scale hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals
13. (noun)Scale a mathematical instrument, consisting of a slip of wood, ivory, or metal, with one or more sets of spaces graduated and numbered on its surface, for measuring or laying off distances, etc., as in drawing, plotting, and the like. See Gunter's scale
14. (noun)Scale a series of spaces marked by lines, and representing proportionately larger distances; as, a scale of miles, yards, feet, etc., for a map or plan
15. (noun)Scale a basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale; the binary scale, etc
16. (noun)Scale the graduated series of all the tones, ascending or descending, from the keynote to its octave; -- called also the gamut. It may be repeated through any number of octaves. See Chromatic scale, Diatonic scale, Major scale, and Minor scale, under Chromatic, Diatonic, Major, and Minor
17. (noun)Scale gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being
18. (noun)Scale relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile
19. (verb)Scale to weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system
20. (verb)Scale to strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler
21. (verb)Scale to take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface
1. Scale The ratio or fraction between the distance on a map, chart, or photograph and the corresponding distance on the surface of the Earth. See also conversion scale; graphic scale; photographic scale; principal scale.
Sense: a set of regularly spaced marks made on something (eg a thermometer or a ruler) for use as a measure; a system of numbers, measurement etc This thermometer has two scales marked on it, one in Fahrenheit and one in Centigrade.