scale

: to weigh in scales

: 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)

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

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)

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.)

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

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

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More Definitions for scale

scale

\ 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

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

scale

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

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 upI scaled down my plan.

scale

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

\ 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

scaled; scaling

Medical Definition of scale (Entry 2 of 5)

: to weigh in scales

: to have a specified weight on scales

scale

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

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

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