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scale

n. · v.
US //ˈskeɪɫ// UK //skˈeɪl// scale
  1. 1 weighing machine (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a device used to measure how heavy something or someone is.

    an instrument or machine used to measure weight or mass. Often used in the plural form 'scales' to refer to a single device.

    Example

    She stepped on the bathroom scale to check her weight before breakfast.

    Example

    The laboratory technician calibrated the digital scale to ensure the chemical measurements were accurate to the milligram.
    Pitfall
    I stepped on the scale to see my weights.
    I stepped on the scale to see my weight.

    Use the singular 'weight' for the measurement of a person, even if the device is called 'the scales'.

  2. 2 size or scope (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the size, level, or importance of something, especially when it is large.

    the relative size, extent, or degree of something. Often used in the phrase 'on a large scale'.

    Example

    The company began producing the new phone on a massive scale.

    Example

    The humanitarian crisis was on such a vast scale that local authorities were quickly overwhelmed by the number of refugees.
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  1. 3 measurement system (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a set of numbers or levels used to measure or compare things.

    a graduated series of steps or values used for measurement or classification.

    Example

    On a scale of one to ten, how much does your head hurt?

    Example

    The Richter scale provides a logarithmic measure of the total energy released during an earthquake.
  2. 4 map ratio (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the relationship between the size of a map and the real area it shows.

    the ratio of the distance on a map or drawing to the corresponding distance in the real world.

    Example

    The map has a scale of one centimetre to one kilometre.

    Example

    Without a clear scale on the architectural drawing, it was impossible to determine the actual dimensions of the living room.
  3. 5 Music (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    a series of musical notes that go up or down in order.

    a sequence of notes arranged in ascending or descending order of pitch, typically spanning an octave.

    Example

    The piano student practised her major scales for an hour every day.

    Example

    The composer utilised a pentatonic scale to give the melody a distinct folk-like quality.

  4. 6 animal skin (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    one of the small, flat, hard pieces that cover the skin of fish and snakes.

    one of the many small, overlapping rigid plates forming the protective outer covering of fish and reptiles.

    Example

    The fish had shiny silver scales that caught the light.

    Example

    Biologists can often determine the age of certain fish species by examining the growth rings on their scales.
  5. 7 to climb (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    to climb up to the top of something very high and steep.

    to climb up or over something high, steep, or difficult to reach. Transitive use.

    Example

    The mountain climbers managed to scale the cliff before dark.

    Example

    The soldiers used ladders to scale the castle walls during the midnight raid.
  6. 8 to adjust size (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to change the size of something so it stays in the right proportion.

    to adjust the size or capacity of a system or object proportionally. Often used in computing regarding performance.

    Example

    You can scale the image down so it fits on the page.

    Example

    The cloud infrastructure was designed to scale automatically as user traffic increased during peak hours.

    Usage

    Often used with 'up' or 'down' as a phrasal verb.
Etymology 1

From Middle English scale, from Latin scāla, usually in plural scālae (“a flight of steps, stairs, staircase, ladder”), for *skand-slā, from scandō (“to climb”); see scan, ascend, descend, etc. Doublet of scala.

Etymology 2

From Middle English scale, from Old French escale, from Frankish and/or Old High German skala, from Proto-Germanic *skalō. Cognate with Old English sċealu (“shell, husk”), whence the modern doublet shale. Further cognate with Dutch schaal, German Schale, French écale.

Etymology 3

Inherited from Northern Middle English scale (non-Northern scole), from Old Norse skál (“bowl”) from Proto-Germanic *skēlō. Compare Danish skål (“bowl, cup”), Dutch schaal, German Schale, Old High German scāla, Old English scealu (“cup”).

Word family
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