Definitions for scale
skeɪlscale

Princeton's WordNet(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. scale, scale of measurement, graduated table, ordered seriesnoun

   an ordered reference standard

   "judging on a scale of 1 to 10"

2. scalenoun

   relative magnitude

   "they entertained on a grand scale"

3. scalenoun

   the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it

   "the scale of the map"; "the scale of the model"

4. scale, scale leafnoun

   a specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin

5. scale, scurf, exfoliationnoun

   a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin

6. scale, musical scalenoun

   (music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)

7. scale, weighing machinenoun

   a measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass

8. scalenoun

   an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks

9. plate, scale, shellnoun

   a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)

10. scaleverb

    a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals

11. scaleverb

    measure by or as if by a scale

    "This bike scales only 25 pounds"

12. scaleverb

    pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard

13. scaleverb

    take by attacking with scaling ladders

    "The troops scaled the walls of the fort"

14. scale, surmountverb

    reach the highest point of

    "We scaled the Mont Blanc"

15. scaleverb

    climb up by means of a ladder

16. scale, descaleverb

    remove the scales from

    "scale fish"

17. scaleverb

    measure with or as if with scales

    "scale the gold"

18. scaleverb

    size or measure according to a scale

    "This model must be scaled down"

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Scalenoun

   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.]

2. Scalenoun

   the sign or constellation Libra

   Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]

3. Scaleverb

   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.]

4. Scalenoun

   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.]

5. Scalenoun

   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.]

6. Scalenoun

   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.]

7. Scalenoun

   a scale insect. (See below.)

   Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]

8. Scalenoun

   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.]

9. Scalenoun

   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.]

10. Scalenoun

    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.]

11. Scalenoun

    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.]

12. Scaleverb

    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.]

13. Scaleverb

    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.]

14. Scaleverb

    to scatter; to spread

    Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]

15. Scaleverb

    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.]

16. Scaleverb

    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.]

17. Scaleverb

    to separate; to scatter

    Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]

18. Scalenoun

    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.]

19. Scalenoun

    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.]

20. Scalenoun

    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.]

21. Scalenoun

    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.]

22. Scalenoun

    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.]

23. Scalenoun

    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.]

24. Scalenoun

    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.]

25. Scalenoun

    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.]

26. Scaleverb

    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.]

27. Scaleverb

    to lead up by steps; to ascend

    Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]

Freebase(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. 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(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. 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.]

2. 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.]

3. 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(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. scale

   To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to clamber up; as, to scale the ramparts.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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.

Matched Categories

1. • Bit
   • Climb Up
   • Indicator
   • Leaf
   • Magnitude Relation
   • Measure
   • Pattern
   • Proportion
   • Reach
   • Shield
   • Size
   • Take

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1425

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1367

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'scale' in Nouns Frequency: #526

Anagrams for scale »

1. Laces

How to pronounce scale?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say scale in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of scale in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of scale in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of scale in a Sentence

1. Danny Russel:

   The administration is doing some hard thinking about what it is they really would want to pursue and how they foresee making headway on engagement with China. They have been careful and smart not to prematurely rush into full-scale engagement with China.

2. Craig Drummond:

   If there's a change of government ... we think 50% of the industry will go into underwriting loss, it will definitely make life harder for all of us, but it will make it intolerable, I think, for some of the smaller and medium-sized players that don't have the scale.

3. Oscar Auliq-Ice:

   Social entrepreneurship takes place when a social value proposition (a solution of some kind) provides wide-scale, lasting systems change for the benefit of society.

4. Emma Kingcome:

   The canal will transform the face of the landscape, 'There is huge unease about the scale of the project and what it will bring to the country, and we'll all be keeping a keen eye on the developments as they progress.

5. Judge Alsup:

   (However), the problem deserves a solution on a more vast scale than can be supplied by a District Judge or jury in a public nuisance case.

Images & Illustrations of scale

Popularity rank by frequency of use