scale

noun

1. Obsolete
   1. a ladder or flight of stairs
   2. any means of ascent
2. 1. a series of marks along a line, at regular or graduated intervals, used in measuring or registering something the scale of a thermometer
   2. any instrument or ruler marked in this manner
3. 1. the proportion that a map, model, etc. bears to the thing that it represents; ratio between the dimensions of a representation and those of the object a scale of one inch to a mile
   2. a line marked off on a map to indicate this ratio or proportion
4. 1. a system of grouping or classifying in a series of steps or degrees according to a standard of relative size, amount, rank, etc. the social scale, a wage scale
   2. a progressive graduated series, as of psychological or educational tests or scores
   3. any point, grade, level, or degree in such a series
5. Math. a system of numerical notation the binary scale
6. Music a series of tones arranged in a sequence of rising or falling pitches in accordance with any of various systems of intervals; esp., all of such a series contained in one octave

Etymology: ME < LL scala (in Vulg., Jacob's ladder) < L, usually as pl., scalae, flight of stairs, ladder < *scandsla < scandere, to climb: see descend

transitive verb scaled, scaling scal′·ing

1. 1. to climb up or over; go up by or as by a ladder or by clambering
   2. to reach or surmount (specified heights)
2. to regulate, make, or set according to a scale
3. to measure by or as by a scale
4. ☆ to measure (logs) or estimate the board feet of (timber)

intransitive verb

1. to climb; go up
2. to go up in a graduated series

noun

1. any of the thin, flat, overlapping, rigid, horny plates forming the outer protective covering of the body in many fishes and reptiles and of the tails of a few mammals
2. any of the structurally similar thin plates on birds' legs or certain insects' wings
3. 1. the single, round plate secreted by a scale insect
   2. scale insect
4. any thin, flaky or platelike layer or piece, as of dry skin, mail armor, etc.
5. a flaky film of oxide that forms on heated or rusted metals
6. a coating that forms on the inside of boilers, kettles, or other metal containers that heat liquids
7. any greatly reduced scalelike leaf or bract; esp., such a modified leaf covering and protecting the bud of a seed plant

Etymology: ME, aphetic < OFr escale, husk, shell (< Frank skala) & escaille, shell (< Goth skalja): both < Gmc *skalja, something split off < IE base *(s)kel-, to cut > shell, half

transitive verb scaled, scaling scal′·ing

1. to strip or scrape scales from
2. to remove in thin layers; pare down
3. to cause scales to form on; cover with scales
4. to throw (a thin, flat object) so that its edge cuts the air or so that it skips along the surface of water
5. Dentistry to remove (tartar) from the teeth with a sharp instrument

intransitive verb

1. to flake or peel off in scales
2. to become covered with scale or scales

noun

1. either of the shallow dishes or pans of a balance
2. 1. balance (sense )
   2. any weighing machine

Etymology: ME < ON skāl, bowl, weighing balance; akin to OHG scala, OE scealu, shell: see scale

transitive verb scaled, scaling scal′·ing

1. to weigh in scales
2. to have a weight of

intransitive verb