scale
Cross references:
1. ascend
1. scale \'ska-(*)l\ n [ME, bowl, scale of a balance fr. ON ska-l; akin to
ON skel shel]l - more at SHELL 1a: either pan or tray of a balance 1b: a
beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal
weight suspended from its ends - usu. used in pl. 2: an instrument or
machine for weighing
2. scale vt : to weigh in scales to have a specified weight on scales
3. scale \'ska-(*)ld\ \'ska-(*)l-l*s\ n [ME, fr. MF escale, of Gmc origin;
akin to OE scealu shell, husk m more at SHELL 1a: a small, flattened,
rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming p art of the external
body covering esp. of a fish 1b: a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale
{~s of mica} {the ~s on a moth's wing} 1c: 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 : 3a: a black scaly
coating of oxide (as magnetic oxide) forming on the surfa ce of iron when
heated for processing 3b: a similar coating forming on other metals 4a: a
modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion 4b: a thin,
membranous, chaffy, or woody bract 5a: one of the small overlapping usu.
metal pieces forming the outer surfac e of scale armor 5b: SCALE ARMOR 6a:
SCALE INSECT 6b: infestation with or disease caused by scale insects -
scaled aj
4. scale vt 1: to remove the scale or scales from (as by scraping) {~ a
fish> 2: to take off in thin layers or scales 3: to form scale on 4: to
throw (as a thin flat stone) so that the edge cuts the air or so tha t it
skips on water : SKIM 1: to separate and come off in scales : FLAKE 2: to
shed scales {scaling skin} 3: to become encrusted with scale
5. scale n [ME, fr. LL scala ladder, staircase, fr. L scalae, pl., stairs,
run]gs, ladder; akin to L scandere to climb - more at SCAN obs 1a: LADDER
obs 1b: a flight of stairs archaic 1c: 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
esp. when used as a measure or rule : as 3a: a series of spaces marked by
lines and used to measure distances or to register something (as the
height of the mercury in a thermometer) 3b: a divided line on a map or
chart indicating the length used to represen t a larger unit of measure (as
an inch to a mile) 3c: an instrument consisting of a strip (as of wood,
plastic, or metal) wit h one or more sets of spaces graduated and numbered
on its surface for measuring or laying off distances or dimensions 4: a
graduated series or scheme of rank or order 5: a proportion between two
sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawi ng and its original) 6: a
graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual in
telligence or achievement - scale aj
6. scale vt 1a: to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders {~ a
castle wall} 1b: to climb up or reach by means of a ladder 1c: to reach
the highest point of : SURMOUNT 2a: to arrange in a graduated series {~ a
test} 2b1: to measure by or as if by a scale 2b2: to measure or estimate
the sound content of (as logs) 2c: to pattern, make, regulate, set, or
estimate according to some rate or standard 1: to climb by or as if by a
ladder {firemen given the command to ~R} 2: to rise in a graduated series
{windows scaling beside a stairwa y} 3: MEASURE
7. scale n obs 1: ESCALADE 2: an estimate of the amount of sound lumber
in logs or standing timber
Webster's English Dictionary