Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » scale

scale

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

A scale is a system or series of marks used for measuring or registering. (noun)

An example of scale is what someone would use to figure out the length of something.
An example of scale is what someone would use to find out how much they weigh.

Scale means to climb up something or to remove in thin layers. (verb)

An example of scale is rock climbing.
An example of scale is to remove the outside layer of rigid, overlapping plates on a fish.

A scale is an outer protective layer made up of flat, rigid, overlapping plates. (noun)

An example of scale is the skin of a fish.

See scale in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Obsolete
1. a ladder or flight of stairs
2. any means of ascent
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
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
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
Math. a system of numerical notation: the binary scale
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

transitive verb scaled, scaling

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

intransitive verb

to climb; go up
to go up in a graduated series

Related Forms:

scaler noun

noun

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
any of the structurally similar thin plates on birds' legs or certain insects' wings
1. the single, round plate secreted by a scale insect
2. scale insect
any thin, flaky or platelike layer or piece, as of dry skin, mail armor, etc.
a flaky film of oxide that forms on heated or rusted metals
a coating that forms on the inside of boilers, kettles, or other metal containers that heat liquids
any greatly reduced scalelike leaf or bract; esp., such a modified leaf covering and protecting the bud of a seed plant

transitive verb scaled, scaling

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

intransitive verb

to flake or peel off in scales
to become covered with scale or scales

Related Forms:

scaleless adjective

noun

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

transitive verb scaled, scaling

to weigh in scales
to have a weight of

intransitive verb

to be weighed

See scale in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(skāl)

noun

a. One of the many small platelike dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of fishes, reptiles, and certain mammals.
b. A similar part, such as one of the minute structures overlapping to form the covering on the wings of butterflies and moths.
Pathology A dry thin flake of epidermis shed from the skin.
A small thin piece.
Botany A small, thin, usually dry, often appressed plant structure, such as any of the protective leaves that cover a tree bud or the bract that subtends a flower in a sedge spikelet.
a. A scale insect.
b. A plant disease or infestation caused by scale insects.
a. A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.
b. A flake of rust.
A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.

verb scaled scaled, scal·ing, Scales scales

verb, transitive

To clear or strip of scale or scales: Scale and clean the fish.
To remove in layers or scales: scaled off the old paint.
To cover with scales; encrust.
To throw (a thin flat object) so that it soars through the air or skips along the surface of water.
Dentistry To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.
Australian
a. To cheat; swindle.
b. To ride on (a tram or train, for example) without paying the fare.

verb, intransitive

To come off in scales or layers; flake.
To become encrusted.

Related Forms:

scaleˈlike adjective

(skāl)

noun

a. A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement: a ruler with scales in inches and centimeters.
b. An instrument or device bearing such marks.
c. A standard of measurement or judgment; a criterion.
a. A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that which it represents: a world map with a scale of 1:4,560,000.
b. A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.
c. Proper proportion: a house that seemed out of scale with its surroundings.
A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank: judging divers' performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
A relative level or degree: entertained on a lavish scale.
A minimum wage fixed by contract: musicians playing a benefit concert for scale.
Mathematics A system of notation in which the values of numerical expressions are determined by their places relative to the chosen base of the system: the decimal scale.
Music An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.

verb scaled scaled, scal·ing, Scales scales

verb, transitive

To climb up or over; ascend: scaled the peak.
To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale: Scale the model to be one tenth of actual size.
To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts: scaled down their demands; scaled back the scheduled pay increase.
To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).

verb, intransitive