noun, verb, scaled, scal⋅ing.| 1. | a succession or progression of steps or degrees; graduated series: the scale of taxation; the social scale. |
| 2. | a series of marks laid down at determinate distances, as along a line, for purposes of measurement or computation: the scale of a thermometer. |
| 3. | a graduated line, as on a map, representing proportionate size. |
| 4. | a table of graduated rates, as of prices or wages: These unions use different scales. |
| 5. | a wage that conforms to such rates: How much is scale? |
| 6. | Also called union scale. a wage fixed by contract that is the minimum permitted to be paid to or accepted by a particular category of employed persons: All actors and musicians for the performance, including the stars, are working for scale. |
| 7. | an instrument with graduated spaces, as for measuring. |
| 8. | the proportion that a representation of an object bears to the object itself: a model on a scale of one inch to one foot. |
| 9. | the ratio of distances or sometimes of areas on a map to the corresponding values on the earth. |
| 10. | a certain relative or proportionate size or extent: They built a residence on a yet more magnificent scale. |
| 11. | a standard of measurement or estimation; point of reference by which to gauge or rate: We have no scale by which to judge his achievements. |
| 12. | Music. a succession of tones ascending or descending according to fixed intervals, esp. such a series beginning on a particular note: the major scale of C. |
| 13. | Education, Psychology. a graded series of tests or tasks for measuring intelligence, achievement, adjustment, etc. |
| 14. | Arithmetic. a system of numerical notation: the decimal scale. |
| 15. | anything by which one may ascend. |
| 16. | Obsolete.
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| 17. | to climb by or as if by a ladder; climb up or over. |
| 18. | to make according to scale. |
| 19. | to adjust in amount according to a fixed scale or proportion (often fol. by down or up): to scale down wages. |
| 20. | to measure by or as if by a scale. |
| 21. | Lumbering.
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| 22. | Australian Informal. to ride on (public transportation) without paying the fare. |
| 23. | to climb; ascend; mount. |
| 24. | to progress in a graduated series. |

A system of marks set at fixed intervals, used as a standard for measurement.
Note: On a map, plan, or chart, a scale indicates the proportion between the representation and what it represents, such as the legend “One inch equals twenty miles” on a map.
Note: Temperature scales divide up the range of temperatures into equal degrees.
scale
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scale
scale 3
n.
An instrument or a machine for weighing.
Either of the pans, trays, or dishes of a balance.
scale 2 (skāl) Pronunciation Key
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