Definitions for the word "scale" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
The dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; -- chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
The sign or constellation Libra.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. t.
To weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
A scale insect. (See below.)
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
A small appendage like a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form, and often in arrangement; as, the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like. The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
The thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of Pocketknife.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
An incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
The thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. Also, a similar coating upon other metals.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. v. t.
To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. v. t.
To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. v. t.
To scatter; to spread.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. v. t.
To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. v. i.
To separate and come off in thin layers or laminae; as, some sandstone scales by exposure.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. v. i.
To separate; to scatter.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. n.
A ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. n.
Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. n.
A mathematical instrument, consisting of a slip of wood, ivory, or metal, with one or more sets of spaces graduated and numbered on its surface, for measuring or laying off distances, etc., as in drawing, plotting, and the like. See Gunter's scale.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
21. n.
A series of spaces marked by lines, and representing proportionately larger distances; as, a scale of miles, yards, feet, etc., for a map or plan.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
22. n.
A basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale; the binary scale, etc.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
23. n.
The graduated series of all the tones, ascending or descending, from the keynote to its octave; -- called also the gamut. It may be repeated through any number of octaves. See Chromatic scale, Diatonic scale, Major scale, and Minor scale, under Chromatic, Diatonic, Major, and Minor.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
24. n.
Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
25. n.
Relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
26. v. t.
To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to ascend by steps or by climbing; to clamber up; as, to scale the wall of a fort.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
27. v. i.
To lead up by steps; to ascend.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
28. n.
1 each of the thin horny plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles. 2 something resembling this. 3 white deposit formed in a kettle etc. By hard water. 4 tartar formed on teeth. v. (-ling) 1 remove scale(s) from. 2 form or come off in scales. scaly adj. (-ier, -iest). [french escale]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
29. n.
1 a (often in pl.) Weighing machine. B (also scale-pan) each of the dishes on a simple balance. 2 (the scales) zodiacal sign or constellation libra. tip (or turn) the scales 1 be the decisive factor. 2 (usu. Foll. By at) weigh. [old norse skál bowl]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
30. n.
1 graded classification system (high on the social scale). 2 a (often attrib.) Ratio of reduction or enlargement in a map, model, picture, etc. (on a scale of one inch to the mile; a scale model). B relative dimensions. 3 mus. Set of notes at fixed intervals, arranged in order of pitch. 4 a set of marks on a line used in measuring etc. B rule determining the distances between these. C rod etc. On which these are marked. v. (-ling) 1 a climb (a wall, height, etc.). B climb (the social scale, heights of ambition, etc.). 2 represent proportionally; reduce to a common scale. in scale in proportion. Scale down (or up) make or become smaller (or larger) in proportion. To scale uniformly in proportion. [latin scala ladder]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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