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 upscale 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
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Time Traveler for scale
The first known use of scale was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century