Scale

English Meaning

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.

1. One of the many small platelike dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of fishes, reptiles, and certain mammals.
2. A similar part, such as one of the minute structures overlapping to form the covering on the wings of butterflies and moths.
3. Pathology A dry thin flake of epidermis shed from the skin.
4. A small thin piece.
5. Botany A small, thin, usually dry, often appressed plant structure, such as any of the protective leaves that cover a tree bud or the bract that subtends a flower in a sedge spikelet.
6. A scale insect.
7. A plant disease or infestation caused by scale insects.
8. A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.
9. A flake of rust.
10. A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.
11. To clear or strip of scale or scales: Scale and clean the fish.
12. To remove in layers or scales: scaled off the old paint.
13. To cover with scales; encrust.
14. To throw (a thin flat object) so that it soars through the air or skips along the surface of water.
15. Dentistry To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.
16. Australian To cheat; swindle.
17. Australian To ride on (a tram or train, for example) without paying the fare.
18. To come off in scales or layers; flake.
19. To become encrusted.
20. A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement: a ruler with scales in inches and centimeters.
21. An instrument or device bearing such marks.
22. A standard of measurement or judgment; a criterion.
23. A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that which it represents: a world map with a scale of 1:4,560,000.
24. A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.
25. Proper proportion: a house that seemed out of scale with its surroundings.
26. A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank: judging divers' performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
27. A relative level or degree: entertained on a lavish scale.
28. A minimum wage fixed by contract: musicians playing a benefit concert for scale.
29. Mathematics A system of notation in which the values of numerical expressions are determined by their places relative to the chosen base of the system: the decimal scale.
30. Music An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.
31. To climb up or over; ascend: scaled the peak.
32. To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale: Scale the model to be one tenth of actual size.
33. To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts: scaled down their demands; scaled back the scheduled pay increase.
34. To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).
35. To climb; ascend.
36. To rise in steps or stages.
37. An instrument or machine for weighing. Often used in the plural.
38. Either of the pans, trays, or dishes of a balance.
39. To weigh with scales.
40. To have a given weight, as determined by a scale: cargo that scales 14 metric tons.