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