scale

I

[[t]skeɪl[/t]]

n. v. scaled, scal•ing

1)

a) one of the thin flat horny plates forming the covering of certain animals, as snakes, lizards, and pangolins

b) one of the hard bony or dentinal plates, either flat or denticulate, forming the covering of other animals, as fishes

2) any thin platelike piece, lamina, or flake that peels off from a surface, as the skin

3)

a) bot

Also called bud scale a specialized rudimentary leaf that protects an immature leaf bud.

b) bot a thin, dry, membranous part of a plant, as the bract of a catkin

4) scale insect

5) a coating, as on the inside of a boiler, formed by the precipitation of salts from the water

6)

a) an oxide, esp. an iron oxide, occurring in a scaly form on the surface of metal brought to a high temperature

b) such scale formed on iron or steel during hot-rolling

7) to remove the scales from:

to scale a fish[/ex]

8) to remove in scales or thin layers

9) to encrust with scale

10) to skip, as a stone over water

11) den to remove (calculus) from teeth

12) to come off in scales

13) to shed scales

14) to become coated with scale

•

Etymology: 1250–1300; (n.) < OF escale < WGmc *skāla; (v.)scalen to remove scales from, der. of the n. II

scale

[[t]skeɪl[/t]] n. v. scaled, scal•ing

1) wam Often, scales. a balance or any of various other instruments or devices for weighing

2) wam either of the pans or dishes of a balance

3) astron. astrol. Scales

Libra

4) wam to weigh in scales

•

- tip the scale(s)

Etymology: 1175–1225; < ON skālar (pl.), c. OE scealu scale (of a balance) III

scale

[[t]skeɪl[/t]] n. v. scaled, scal•ing

1) a progression of steps or degrees

2) math. a series of marks laid down at determinate distances, as along a line, for purposes of measurement or computation:

the scale of a thermometer[/ex]

3) geg

a) geg geo sur a graduated line, as on a map, representing proportionate size

b) geg the ratio of distances on a map to corresponding values on the surface of the earth

4) wam any measuring instrument with graduated markings

5) the proportion that a representation of an object bears to the object itself:

a model on a scale of one inch to one foot[/ex]

6) relative size or extent:

planning done on a grand scale[/ex]

7) mad a succession of tones ascending or descending according to fixed intervals

8) psl edu a graded series of tests or tasks for measuring intelligence, achievement, adjustment, etc

9) math. a system of numerical notation:

the decimal scale[/ex]

10) Obs.

11) to climb by or as if by a ladder; climb up or over

12) to make according to scale

13) to adjust proportionately; match or relate to some standard or measure

14) wam to measure by or as if by a scale

15) to climb; ascend; mount

16) to advance in a graduated series

17) phv scale down (or up), to decrease (or increase) in amount:

to scale down wages[/ex]

•

Etymology: 1350–1400; (n.) ME < L scālae ladder, stairs; (v.) ME < OF escaler or ML scālāre, both ult. der. of L scāla, scālae