scale¹ (skāl)

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[Middle English, from Old French escale, of Germanic origin.]

noun 

1. 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.
2. Pathology A dry thin flake of epidermis shed from the skin.
3. A small thin piece.
4. 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.
5. 1. A scale insect.
   2. A plant disease or infestation caused by scale insects.
6. 1. A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.
   2. A flake of rust.
7. A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.

verb: scaled, scal·ing, scales. 

transitive verb 

1. To clear or strip of scale or scales: Scale and clean the fish.
2. To remove in layers or scales: scaled off the old paint.
3. To cover with scales; encrust.
4. To throw (a thin flat object) so that it soars through the air or skips along the surface of water.
5. Dentistry To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.
6. Australian
   1. To cheat; swindle.
   2. To ride on (a tram or train, for example) without paying the fare.

intransitive verb 

1. To come off in scales or layers; flake.
2. To become encrusted.

derivatives

scalélike

adjective

scale² (skāl)

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[Middle English, from Latin scālae, ladder.]

noun 

1. 1. A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement: a ruler with scales in inches and centimeters.
   2. An instrument or device bearing such marks.
   3. A standard of measurement or judgment; a criterion.
2. 1. 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.
   2. A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.
   3. Proper proportion: a house that seemed out of scale with its surroundings.
3. A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank: judging divers' performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
4. A relative level or degree: entertained on a lavish scale.
5. A minimum wage fixed by contract: musicians playing a benefit concert for scale.
6. 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.
7. Music An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.

verb: scaled, scal·ing, scales. 

transitive verb 

1. To climb up or over; ascend: scaled the peak.
2. To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale: Scale the model to be one tenth of actual size.
3. To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts: scaled down their demands; scaled back the scheduled pay increase.
4. To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).

intransitive verb 

1. To climb; ascend.
2. To rise in steps or stages.

derivatives

scaĺa·ble

adjective

scale³ (skāl)

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[Middle English, bowl, balance, from Old Norse skāl.]

noun 

1. An instrument or machine for weighing. Often used in the plural.
2. Either of the pans, trays, or dishes of a balance.

verb: scaled, scal·ing, scales. 

transitive verb 

To weigh with scales.

intransitive verb 

To have a given weight, as determined by a scale: cargo that scales 14 metric tons.