scale1 /skāl/ noun- A graduated series or order
- A graduated measure
- A system of definite tones used in music
- A succession of these performed in ascending or descending order of pitch through one octave or more
- The compass or range of a voice or instrument
- A numeral system
- A system or scheme of relative values or correspondences
- The ratio of representation to object
- Relative extent
- A ladder (obsolete)
- A scaling ladder (Milton)
- A flight of steps (obsolete)
transitive verb- To mount (as by a ladder)
- To climb
- To change according to scale (often with up or down)
- To estimate how much timber will be obtained from (a log or tree) (N American)
intransitive verb To mount ORIGIN: L scāla a ladder, from scandere to mount scalabilˈity or scaleabilˈity noun scalˈable or scaleˈable adjective - Able to be scaled
- Esp of computer systems, easily variable in size
scalˈableness or scaleˈableness noun scalˈably or scaleˈably adverb scalˈer noun - An instrument incorporating more than one scaling circuit, a device that counts very rapid pulses, by recording at the end of each group of specified numbers instead of after individual pulses
- A scaling circuit itself
scalˈing noun - Climbing
- Adjustment to or in a scale
scale model noun A model of something made in reduced size but accurate proportion scale stair or scale staircase noun (Scot) Stairs in straight flights scaling ladder noun - A ladder for climbing the walls of a fortress, etc
- A firefighter's ladder
full-scale see under full1 on a large, small, etc scale In a great, small, etc way on the scale of In the ratio of scale and platt (Scot) Stairs with straight flights and landings to scale In proportion corresponding to actual dimensions |