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 seriesnoun
an ordered reference standard
"judging on a scale of 1 to 10"
scalenoun
relative magnitude
"they entertained on a grand scale"
scalenoun
the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it
"the scale of the map"; "the scale of the model"
scale, scale leafnoun
a specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin
scale, scurf, exfoliationnoun
a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
scale, musical scalenoun
(music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
scale, weighing machinenoun
a measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass
scalenoun
an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks
plate, scale, shellnoun
a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
scaleverb
a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals
scaleverb
measure by or as if by a scale
"This bike scales only 25 pounds"
scaleverb
pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard
scaleverb
take by attacking with scaling ladders
"The troops scaled the walls of the fort"
scale, surmountverb
reach the highest point of
"We scaled the Mont Blanc"
scaleverb
climb up by means of a ladder
scale, descaleverb
remove the scales from
"scale fish"
scaleverb
measure with or as if with scales
"scale the gold"
scaleverb
size or measure according to a scale
"This model must be scaled down"
Webster Dictionary
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.]
Scalenoun
the sign or constellation Libra
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
Scalenoun
a scale insect. (See below.)
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
Scaleverb
to scatter; to spread
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
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.]
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.]
Scaleverb
to separate; to scatter
Etymology: [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]
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
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.
Matched Categories
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
What they told us is they believe they could scale up by the end of next week ... for the capacity for 4 million additional tests that could be shipped.
We have a high, high volume of waste waters and it is a challenge to find the traces of the virus in the waste waters, so we have liters and we have to scale it down to microliters to get a sufficient amount for RNA extraction and that's the challenge.
On the broader scale of the investigation, we had information there were potentially three shooters.
We will never see such games as Peru against Denmark, it was a historic, large-scale event, but the city withstood it.
We want to make investments up front, at risk, even before we know the vaccines work, to be able to (immediately) manufacture them at a scale of tens or hundreds of millions of doses.
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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