\ ˈskāl
\
\
Definition of scale
(Entry 1 of 7)
1
: an instrument or machine for weighing
2a
: a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends
—usually used in plural
b
: either pan or tray of a balance
scale
verb (1)
scaled; scaling
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
c
: the scaly covering of a scaled animal
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)
scaled; scaling
Definition of scale (Entry 4 of 7)
scale
noun (3)Definition of scale (Entry 5 of 7)
1
: a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals
2
: something graduated especially when used as a measure or rule: such as
a
: an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances
b
: a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (such as the height of the mercury in a thermometer)
c
: ruler sense 3
3a
: a graduated series or scheme of rank or order
a scale of taxation
4a
: 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
5
: a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
6a
archaic
: a means of ascent
to scale
: according to the proportions of an established scale of measurement
floor plans drawn to scale
scale
verb (3)
scaled; scaling
Definition of scale (Entry 6 of 7)
1a
: to climb up or reach by means of a ladder
b
: to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders
scale a castle wall
c
: to reach the highest point of : surmount
scale a mountain
2a
: 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
b
: to arrange in a graduated series
c(1)
: to measure by or as if by a scale
(2)
: to measure or estimate the sound content of (logs, standing timber, etc.)
scale
noun (4)Definition of scale (Entry 7 of 7)
1
: an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber
Other Words from scale
Noun (2)
scaled
\
ˈskāld
\
adjective
\
adjective
scaleless
\
ˈskāl-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Noun (3)
scale
adjective
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Cite this Entry
“Scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scale. Accessed 17 May. 2021.
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More Definitions for scale
scale
noun
\ ˈskāl
\
\
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
verb
scaled; scaling
Kids 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
verb
scaled; scaling
Kids 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
\ ˈskā(ə)l
\
\
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
verb
scaled; scaling
Medical 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
verb
scaled; scaling
Medical 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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Time Traveler for scale
The first known use of scale was in the 14th century
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