What does scale mean?
Definitions for scale
skeɪlscale
Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word scale.
Princeton's WordNet
scale, scale of measurement, graduated table, ordered series(noun)
an ordered reference standard
"judging on a scale of 1 to 10"
scale(noun)
relative magnitude
"they entertained on a grand scale"
scale(noun)
the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it
"the scale of the map"; "the scale of the model"
scale, scale leaf(noun)
a specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin
scale, scurf, exfoliation(noun)
a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
scale, musical scale(noun)
(music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
scale, weighing machine(noun)
a measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass
scale(noun)
an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks
plate, scale, shell(noun)
a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
scale(verb)
a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals
scale(verb)
measure by or as if by a scale
"This bike scales only 25 pounds"
scale(verb)
pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard
scale(verb)
take by attacking with scaling ladders
"The troops scaled the walls of the fort"
scale, surmount(verb)
reach the highest point of
"We scaled the Mont Blanc"
scale(verb)
climb up by means of a ladder
scale, descale(verb)
remove the scales from
"scale fish"
scale(verb)
measure with or as if with scales
"scale the gold"
scale(verb)
size or measure according to a scale
"This model must be scaled down"
Webster Dictionary
Scale(noun)
the dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; -- chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
the sign or constellation Libra
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
one of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
a scale insect. (See below.)
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
a small appendage like 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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
the thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of Pocketknife
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
an incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to scatter; to spread
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to separate and come off in thin layers or laminae; as, some sandstone scales by exposure
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to separate; to scatter
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
a ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
a basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale; the binary scale, etc
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(noun)
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
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to ascend by steps or by climbing; to clamber up; as, to scale the wall of a fort
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Scale(verb)
to lead up by steps; to ascend
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
Freebase
Scale
In most biological nomenclature, a scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin to provide protection. In lepidopteran species, scales are plates on the surface of the insect wing, and provide coloration. Scales are quite common and have evolved multiple times with varying structure and function. Scales are generally classified as part of an organism's integumentary system. There are various types of scales according to shape and to class of animal.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Scale
skāl, n. a ladder: series of steps: a graduated measure: (mus.) a series of all the tones ascending or descending from the keynote to its octave, called the gamut: the order of a numeral system: gradation: proportion: series.—v.t. to mount, as by a ladder: to ascend: to draw in true proportion: to measure logs: to decrease proportionally, as every part.—v.i. to lead up by steps: (Scot.) to disperse, to spill, to spread as manure.—ns. Scale′-board (print.), a thin slip of wood for extending a page to its true length, making types register, securing uniformity of margin, &c.; Scale′-pipette′, a tubular pipette with a graduated scale for taking up definite quantities of liquid; Scal′ing-ladd′er, a ladder used for the escalade of an enemy's fortress: a fireman's ladder: (her.) a bearing representing a ladder, with two hooks and two ferrules. [L. scala, a ladder—scandĕre, to mount.]
Scale
skāl, n. one of the small, thin plates on a fish or reptile: a thin layer: a husk: the covering of the leaf-buds of deciduous trees: a piece of cuticle that is squamous or horny: a flake: an encrustation on the side of a vessel in which water is heated.—v.t. to clear of scales: to peel off in thin layers.—v.i. to come off in thin layers.—ns. Scale′-arm′our, armour consisting of scales of metal overlapping each other: plate-mail; Scale′-back, a marine worm covered with scales.—adjs. Scale′-bear′ing, having scales, as the sea-mice; Scaled, having scales: covered with scales.—ns. Scale′-dove, an American dove having the plumage marked as with scales; Scale′-fish, a dry cured fish, as the haddock; Scale′-foot, the scabbard-fish; Scale′-in′sect, any insect of the homopterous family Coccidæ.—adj. Scale′less, without scales, as the scaleless amphibians.—n. Scale′-moss, certain plants which resemble moss.—adj. Scale′-patt′ern, having a pattern resembling scales.—ns. Scale′-quail, an American quail having scale-like markings of the plumage; Scā′ler, one who makes a business of scaling fish: an instrument used by dentists in removing tartar.—adjs. Scale′-tailed, having scales on the under side of the tail; Scale′-winged, having the wings covered with minute scales, as a butterfly.—ns. Scale′-work, scales lapping over each other; Scale′-worm, a scale-back: Scal′iness, the state of being scaly: roughness; Scal′ing, the process of removing scales from a fish, or encrustations from the interior of a boiler; Scal′ing-fur′nace, a furnace in which plates of iron are heated for the purpose of scaling them, as in tinning.—adj. Scal′y, covered with scales: like scales: shabby: (bot.) formed of scales. [A.S. sceale, scale, the scale of a fish; Ger. schale, shell.]
Scale
skāl, n. the dish of a balance: a balance, as to turn the scale—chiefly in pl.: (pl.) Libra, one of the signs of the zodiac.—v.t. to weigh, as in scales: to estimate.—ns. Scale′-beam, the beam or lever of a balance; Scale′-microm′eter, in a telescope, a graduated scale for measuring distances; Scāl′ing, the process of adjusting sights to a ship's guns.—Beam and scales, a balance; Gunter's scale, a scale for solving mechanically problems in navigation and surveying. [A.S. scále, a balance; Dut. schaal, Ger. schale; allied to preceding word.]
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
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.
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
scale
An old word for commercial emporium, derived from scala. Also, the graduated divisions by which the proportions of a chart or plan are regulated. Also, the common measures of the sheer-draught, &c. (See GUNTER'S LINE.)
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
scale
To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to clamber up; as, to scale the ramparts.
Editors Contribution
scale
A size or range.
The scale of the business was amazing and such an amazing team.
Submitted by MaryC on February 27, 2020
Entomology
Scale
a general term to distinguish Coccidae: specifically the puparium of a Diaspid, comprising exuviae and excreted matter: the waxy covering of a male Lecaniid: in Diptera = alula: q.v.
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1425
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1367
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Nouns Frequency: #526
Anagrams for scale »
Laces
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of scale in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of scale in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
Examples of scale in a Sentence
Deployment of substantial military force is not being considered, it is not the aim of NATO to create a military barrier against broad-scale Russian aggression, because such aggression is not on the agenda and no intelligence assessment suggests such a thing.
We are hearing reports of damage of some of the shelters in some of the IDP camps around Sittwe. We have to wait to hear back from the assessment teams to know the scale of that damage.
We are trying to attract other carriers to join the alliance to scale the business, to help growth and sustainability.
It's something that we haven't seen before to this scale.
I have, personally, thrown balance out the window. I don't even strive for it anymore because I don't like to intentionally set myself up for failure. I did that, probably the first two years of my daughter's life, but I've actually chilled out a bit on this front, i think that balance implies a scale, which inevitably tips in one direction. And the challenge with children, so often, the levers are outside of your control.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
Translations for scale
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- ميزانArabic
- skeulBreton
- stupnice, měřítko, šupina, váha, okujCzech
- Skala, Tonleiter, Ausmaß, Maßstab, Schuppe, Waage, skalieren, entschuppen, besteigen, schuppen, Waagschale, Schuppenpanzer, erklimmenGerman
- μέγεθος, έκταση, κλίμακα, λέπι, ζυγαριάGreek
- pesiloEsperanto
- escala, gama, escama, balanza, platillo, escalar, escamarSpanish
- mõõtmestamaEstonian
- فلس, ترازو, برگستوان, میزانPersian
- mittakaava, skaala, asteikko, luokka, sävelasteikko, hilseillä, suomu, varsivaaka, hilse, pajahilse, suomupanssari, kiivetä, [[poistaa]] [[hilse]], skaalautua, höylätä, vaaka, vaakakuppi, skaalata, suomustaa, [[muuttaa]] [[mittakaavaa]], kivuta, kuoriaFinnish
- échelle, gamme, balance, écaille, plateau, barbure, réduire, escalader, squame, agrandir, écaillerFrench
- sgèile, meudachdScottish Gaelic
- તુલાGujarati
- סולם, קנה מידה, קשקשHebrew
- तराज़ू, तुलाHindi
- hangsor, beosztás, mérleg, skálaHungarian
- նժար, թեփ, կշեռք, թեփուկArmenian
- balancoIdo
- scala, scaglia, bilancia, squamaItalian
- スケール, 目盛り, 大きさ, 縮尺比, 強度, 規模, 等級, 音階, 鱗, はかり, 鱗片, 秤, 天秤, 見合う, 鱗を除く, ガサガサにする, 肌荒れを起こす, 登る, 鱗を落とすJapanese
- 정도, 비늘Korean
- terazîKurdish
- scala, lībraLatin
- skalė, mastas, mastelis, žvynai, svarstyklėsLithuanian
- zvīņasLatvian
- hātepe, āwhata, unahiMāori
- skala, skjellNorwegian
- schaal, toonladder, schub, weegschaalDutch
- skala, skjellNorwegian Nynorsk
- vektNorwegian
- skala, łuska, wagaPolish
- escala, tamanho, escale, escama, balança, subir, descamar, prato, escalar, escamarPortuguese
- solz, cântarRomanian
- шкала, масштаб, гамма, чешуя, весы, чешуйка, чаша весовRussian
- ljestvica, mjerilo, stupnice, krljušt, вага, vaga, terazije, тас, tas, ljȕska, теразије, кантар, kantarSerbo-Croatian
- škála, stupnica, lupinaSlovak
- skala, velikost, lestvica, merilo, luska, vaga, tehtnicaSlovene
- måttstock, skala, vågskål, fjälla, fjäll, balansvåg, fjällpansar, våg, bestigaSwedish
- mzaniSwahili
- స్థాయి, పరిమాణము, ప్రమాణము, స్కేలు, కొలత, కాటా, త్రాసుTelugu
- kaliskisTagalog
- kantar, ölçeklemek, tırmanmak, terazi, ölçeklendirmekTurkish
- ترازو, تلا, میزان, پیمانےUrdu
- tegülVolapük
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"scale." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2021. Web. 26 Feb. 2021. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/scale>.