Definition of sliding scale
1
: a wage scale geared to the selling price of the product or to the consumer price index but usually guaranteeing a minimum below which the wage will not fall
2a
: a system for raising or lowering tariffs in accord with price changes
b
: a flexible scale (as of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income of individuals
the sliding scale of medical fees
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for sliding scale
The first known use of sliding scale was in 1842
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