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scale

noun (1)
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\ ˈskāl How to pronounce scale (audio) \

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

Definition of scale (Entry 2 of 7)

transitive verb

: to weigh in scales

intransitive verb

: to have a specified weight on scales

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)

transitive verb

1 : to remove the scale or scales from (as by scraping) scale a fish
2 : to take off in thin layers or scales scale tartar from the teeth
3 : to throw (something, such as a thin, flat stone) so that the edge cuts the air or so that it skips on water : skim

intransitive verb

1 : to separate and come off in scales : flake
2 : to shed scales scaling skin

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
b : minimum wage sense 2
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
b obsolete : ladder
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)

transitive verb

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.)

intransitive verb

1 : to climb by or as if by a ladder
2 : to rise in a graduated series
3 : measure

scale

noun (4)

Definition of scale (Entry 7 of 7)

1 : an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber
2 obsolete : escalade
Other Words from scale Phrases Containing scale Learn More About scale

Other Words from scale

Noun (2)

scaled \ ˈskāld How to pronounce scale (audio) \ adjective
scaleless \ ˈskāl-​ləs How to pronounce scale (audio) \ adjective

Noun (3)

scale adjective

First Known Use of scale

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb (1)

1691, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6b

Verb (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Noun (4)

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for scale

Noun (1)

Middle English scole, scale bowl, scale of a balance, from Old Norse skāl; akin to Old Norse skel shell — more at shell

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French escale, eschale, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English scealu shell, husk — more at shell

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Late Latin scala ladder, staircase, from Latin scalae, plural, stairs, rungs, ladder; akin to Latin scandere to climb — more at scan

Verb (3) and Noun (4)

Middle English, from scale entry 5

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best kitchen scales.

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Time Traveler for scale

Time Traveler

The first known use of scale was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near scale

scalding

scale

scale armor

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Cite this Entry

“Scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scale. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for scale

scale

noun
\ ˈskāl How to pronounce scale (audio) \

Kids Definition of scale

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 : either pan of a balance or the balance itself
2 : a device for weighing

scale

noun

Kids 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

Other Words from scale

scaled \ ˈskāld \ adjective
scaleless \ ˈskāl-​ləs \ adjective a scaleless fish

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

noun

Kids 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 How to pronounce scale (audio) \

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)

transitive verb

: to weigh in scales

intransitive verb

: to have a specified weight on scales

scale

noun

Medical 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)

transitive verb

: to take off in thin layers or scales scale tartar from the teeth

intransitive verb

1 : to separate or come off in thin layers or laminae
2 : to shed scales or fragmentary surface matter : exfoliate scaling skin

scale

noun

Medical 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

noun

Legal Definition of scale

: a set of graduated wage rates also : a wage consistent with such rates — compare minimum wage

More from Merriam-Webster on scale

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scale

Nglish: Translation of scale for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scale for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scale

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