First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1scale
noun \ˈskāl\
Definition of SCALE
1
a : 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
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Origin of SCALE
Middle English scole, scale bowl, scale of a balance, from Old Norse skāl; akin to Old Norse skel shell — more at shell
Rhymes with SCALE
2scale
verb
scaledscal·ing
Definition of SCALE
transitive verb
: to weigh in scales
intransitive verb
: to have a specified weight on scales
First Known Use of SCALE
1691
3scale
noun
Definition of SCALE
1
2
: a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin
3
: a thin coating, layer, or incrustation: as a : a usually black scaly coating of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (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 (as a boiler) in which water is heated
4
a : a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion b : a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody bract
5
a : any of the small overlapping usually metal pieces forming the outer surface of scale armor b : scale armor
6
a : scale insect b : infestation with or disease caused by scale insects
— scaled \ˈskā(ə)ld\ adjective
— scale·less \ˈskāl-ləs\ adjective
Origin of SCALE
Middle English, from Anglo-French escale, eschale, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English scealu shell, husk — more at shell
First Known Use: 14th century
4scale
verb
scaledscal·ing
Definition of SCALE
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 (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>
First Known Use of SCALE
15th century
5scale
verb
scaledscal·ing
Definition of SCALE
transitive verb
1
2
a : to arrange in a graduated series b (1) : to measure by or as if by a scale (2) : to measure or estimate the sound content of (as logs) c : 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>
intransitive verb
1
: to climb by or as if by a ladder
2
: to rise in a graduated series
3
: measure
Origin of SCALE
Middle English, from 6scale
First Known Use: 14th century
6scale
noun
Definition of SCALE
1
a obsolete : ladder b archaic : a means of ascent
2
: a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals
3
: something graduated especially when used as a measure or rule: as a : a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (as the height of the mercury in a thermometer) b : an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances c : ruler 3
4
a : a graduated series or scheme of rank or order <a scale of taxation> b : minimum wage 2
5
a : 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>
6
: a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
— scale adjective
— to scale
: according to the proportions of an established scale of measurement <floor plans drawn to scale>
Origin of SCALE
Middle English, from Late Latin scala ladder, staircase, from Latin scalae, plural, stairs, rungs, ladder; akin to Latin scandere to climb — more at scan
First Known Use: 15th century
7scale
noun
Definition of SCALE
1
obsolete : escalade
2
: an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber
Origin of SCALE
5scale
First Known Use: circa 1587
TO SCALE Defined for Kids
1scale
noun \ˈskāl\
Definition of SCALE for Kids
1
: either pan of a balance or the balance itself
2
: a device for weighing
2scale
noun
Definition of SCALE for Kids
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>
— scaled \ˈskāld\ adjective
— scale·less \ˈskāl-ləs\ adjective <a scaleless fish>
3scale
verb
scaledscal·ing
Definition of SCALE for Kids
1
: to remove the scales of <They scaled the fish.>
2
: 2flake <My dry skin was scaling.>
4scale
verb
scaledscal·ing
Definition of SCALE for Kids
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.>
5scale
noun
Definition of SCALE for Kids
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.>
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