scale

scale
scale1
noun
1》 each of the small overlapping horny or bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles.
    ↘each of numerous microscopic tile-like structures covering the wings of butterflies and moths.
    ↘a rudimentary leaf, feather, or bract.
2》 a thick dry flake of skin.
3》 a white deposit formed in a kettle, boiler, etc. by the evaporation of water containing lime.
    ↘tartar formed on teeth.
    ↘a coating of oxide formed on heated metal.
verb
1》 remove scale or scales from.
2》 [often as noun scaling] (especially of the skin) form scales.
    ↘come off in scales; flake off.
Phrases
the scales fall from someone's eyes someone is no longer deceived. [with biblical ref. to Acts 9:18.]
Derivatives
-scaled adjective
scaleless adjective
scaler noun
Origin
ME: shortening of OFr. escale, from the Gmc base of scale2.
————————
scale2
noun (usu. scales) an instrument for weighing, originally a simple balance but now usually a device with an electronic or other internal weighing mechanism.
↘either of the dishes on a simple balance.
verb have a weight of.
Phrases
throw something on (or into) the scale contribute something to one side of an argument or debate.
tip (or turn) the scales (or balance) be the deciding factor; make the critical difference.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'drinking cup', surviving in S. Afr. Engl.): from ON skál 'bowl', of Gmc origin.
————————
scale3
noun
1》 a graduated range of values forming a standard system for measuring or grading something.
    ↘a measuring instrument based on such a system.
2》 the relative size or extent of something: no one foresaw the scale of the disaster.
    ↘a ratio of size in a map, model, drawing, or plan.
3》 Music an arrangement of the notes in any system of music in ascending or descending order of pitch.
verb
1》 climb up or over (something high and steep).
2》 represent or draw according to a common scale.
    ↘(of a quantity or property) be variable according to a particular scale.
3》 (scale something back/down or up) reduce (or increase) something in size, number, or extent.
Phrases
to scale with a uniform reduction or enlargement: not drawn to scale.
in scale in proportion to the surroundings.
Derivatives
scaler noun
Origin
ME: from L. scala 'ladder', from the base of L. scandere 'to climb'.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:
(of a balance) / / , / , , , , , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • SCALE-UP — is a learning environment specifically created to facilitate active, collaborative learning in a studio like setting. Some people think the rooms look more like restaurants than classrooms [ J. Gaffney, E. Richards, M.B. Kustusch, L. Ding, and R …   Wikipedia

  • scale — scale1 [skāl] n. [ME < LL scala (in Vulg., Jacob s ladder) < L, usually as pl., scalae, flight of stairs, ladder < * scandsla < scandere, to climb: see DESCEND] 1. Obs. a) a ladder or flight of stairs b) any means of ascent 2 …   English World dictionary

  • Scale — Scale, n. [Cf. AS. scealu, scalu, a shell, parings; akin to D. schaal, G. schale, OHG. scala, Dan. & Sw. skal a shell, Dan. ski[ae]l a fish scale, Goth. skalja tile, and E. shale, shell, and perhaps also to scale of a balance; but perhaps rather… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scale — Scale, n. [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See {Scan}; cf. {Escalade}.] 1. A ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scale — Ⅰ. scale [1] ► NOUN 1) each of the small overlapping plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles. 2) a thick dry flake of skin. 3) a white deposit formed in a kettle, boiler, etc. by the evaporation of water containing lime. 4) tartar formed… …   English terms dictionary

  • Scale — (sk[=a]l), n. [AS. sc[=a]le; perhaps influenced by the kindred Icel. sk[=a]l balance, dish, akin also to D. schaal a scale, bowl, shell, G. schale, OHG. sc[=a]la, Dan. skaal drinking cup, bowl, dish, and perh. to E. scale of a fish. Cf. {Scale}… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scale — Scale, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scaled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scaling}.] To weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system. [1913 Webster] Scaling his present bearing with his past. Shak. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scale — Scale, v. t. 1. To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler. [1913 Webster] 2. To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface. If all the mountains were… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scale — Scale, v. t. [Cf. It. scalare, fr. L. scalae, scala. See {Scale} a ladder.] 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. [1913 Webster] Oft have I scaled the craggy …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scale-up —   [skeɪl ʌp, englisch] das, , Bezeichnung für die Maßstabsvergrößerung bei Anlagen der Verfahrenstechnik. Nach der häufig angewandten Ähnlichkeitstheorie werden bei der Übertragung von Laborergebnissen in den großtechnischen Maßstab möglichst… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • scale — [n1] graduated system calibration, computation, degrees, extent, gamut, gradation, hierarchy, ladder, order, pecking order*, progression, proportion, range, ranking, rate, ratio, reach, register, rule, scope, sequence, series, spectrum, spread,… …   New thesaurus

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”