scale
noun (1)
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Definition of scale
(Entry 1 of 7)
1a : either pan or tray of a balance
b : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends —usually used in plural
2 : an instrument or machine for weighing
scale
verb (1)scale
noun (2)Definition of scale (Entry 3 of 7)
1a : a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming part of the external body covering especially of a fish
b : a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale scales of mica the scales on a moth's wing
2 : a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin
3 : a thin coating, layer, or incrustation: such as
a : a usually black scaly coating of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (such as iron) when it is heated for processing
b : a hard incrustation usually rich in sulfate of calcium that is deposited on the inside of a vessel (such as a boiler) in which water is heated
4a : a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion
b : a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody bract
5a : any of the small overlapping usually metal pieces forming the outer surface of scale armor
b : scale armor
6a : scale insect
b : infestation with or disease caused by scale insects
scale
verb (2)Definition of scale (Entry 4 of 7)
scale
verb (3)Definition of scale (Entry 5 of 7)
1a : to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders scale a castle wall
b : to climb up or reach by means of a ladder
c : to reach the highest point of : surmount scale a mountain
2a : to arrange in a graduated series
b(1) : to measure by or as if by a scale
(2) : to measure or estimate the sound content of (logs, standing timber, etc.)
c : to pattern, make, regulate, set, or estimate according to some rate or standard : adjust a production schedule scaled to actual need —often used with back, down, or up scale down imports
scale
noun (3)Definition of scale (Entry 6 of 7)
1a obsolete : ladder
b archaic : a means of ascent
2 : a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals
3 : something graduated especially when used as a measure or rule: such as
a : a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (such as the height of the mercury in a thermometer)
b : an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances
c : ruler sense 3
4a : a graduated series or scheme of rank or order a scale of taxation
5a : a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original)
b : a distinctive relative size, extent, or degree projects done on a large scale
6 : a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
: according to the proportions of an established scale of measurement floor plans drawn to scale
scale
noun (4)Definition of scale (Entry 7 of 7)
1 obsolete : escalade
2 : an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber
Other Words from scale
Noun (2)
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adjective
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adjective
Noun (3)
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
What Does 'Scale the Business' Mean?
What Does 'Scale the Business' Mean?
How a common word became a staple of business jargon
Statistics for scale
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Time Traveler for scale
The first known use of scale was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for scale
scale
noun
\
Kids Definition of scale
(Entry 1 of 5)
1 : either pan of a balance or the balance itself
2 : a device for weighing
scale
nounKids Definition of scale (Entry 2 of 5)
1 : one of the small stiff plates that cover much of the body of some animals (as fish and snakes)
2 : a thin layer or part suggesting a fish scale the scales on a butterfly's wing
scale
verbKids Definition of scale (Entry 3 of 5)
1 : to remove the scales of They scaled the fish.
2 : flake entry 2 My dry skin was scaling.
scale
verbKids Definition of scale (Entry 4 of 5)
1 : to climb by or as if by a ladder Climbers scaled the cliff.
2 : to regulate or set according to a standard —often used with down or up I scaled down my plan.
scale
nounKids Definition of scale (Entry 5 of 5)
1 : a series of musical tones going up or down in pitch in fixed steps
2 : a series of spaces marked off by lines and used for measuring distances or amounts a thermometer's scale
3 : a series of like things arranged in order (as according to size or degree) a color scale
4 : the size of a picture, plan, or model of a thing compared to the size of the thing itself The scale of the model is {frac1/35}.
5 : a standard for measuring or judging On a scale of one to ten, I give it an eight.
6 : the size or extent of something especially in comparison to something else They throw parties on a large scale.
scale
noun
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Medical Definition of scale
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a : either pan or tray of a balance
b : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends —usually used in plural
2 : an instrument or machine for weighing
scale
verbMedical Definition of scale (Entry 2 of 5)
: to weigh in scales
: to have a specified weight on scales
scale
nounMedical Definition of scale (Entry 3 of 5)
1 : a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin
2 : a film of tartar encrusting the teeth
scale
verbMedical Definition of scale (Entry 4 of 5)
: to take off in thin layers or scales scale tartar from the teeth
1 : to separate or come off in thin layers or laminae
2 : to shed scales or fragmentary surface matter : exfoliate scaling skin
scale
nounMedical Definition of scale (Entry 5 of 5)
1 : a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (as the height of the mercury in a thermometer)
2 : a graduated series or scheme of rank or order
3 : a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
scale
nounLegal Definition of scale
: a set of graduated wage rates also : a wage consistent with such rates — compare minimum wage
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