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(skl), n.[AS. scle; perhaps influenced by the kindred Icel. skl balance, dish, akin also to D. schaal a scale, bowl, shell, G. schale, OHG. scla, Dan. skaal drinking cup, bowl, dish, and perh. to E. scale of a fish. Cf. Scale of a fish, Skull the brain case.] 1. The dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; -- chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively. Long time in even scale The battle hung. Milton. The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no more Now than my vows. Waller. 2. pl. (Astron.) The sign or constellation Libra. Platform scale. See under Platform. 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. Scaling his present bearing with his past. Shak. To scale, or scale down, a debt, wages, etc., to reduce a debt, etc., according to a fixed ratio or scale. [U.S.] Scale n.[Cf. AS. scealu, scalu, a shell, parings; akin to D. schaal, G. schale, OHG. scala, Dan. & Sw. skal a shell, Dan. skil a fish scale, Goth. skalja tile, and E. shale, shell, and perhaps also to scale of a balance; but perhaps rather fr. OF. escale, escaile, F. caille scale of a fish, and cale shell of beans, pease, eggs, nuts, of German origin, and akin to Goth. skalja, G. schale. See Shale.] 1. (Anat.) One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid. Fish that, with their fins and shining scales, Glide under the green wave. Milton. 2. Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc. 3. (Zol.) One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidop Scale (), v. t. 1. To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler. 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 scaled, and the earth made even." T. Burnet. 3. To scatter; to spread. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] 4. (Gun.) To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder. Totten. Scale v. i. 1. To separate and come off in thin layers or lamin; as, some sandstone scales by exposure. Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found, but the old shells never; so it is likely that they scale off. Bacon. 2. To separate; to scatter. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] 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.] 2. Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals. Specifically: (a) A mathematical instrument, consisting of a slip of wood, ivory, or metal, with one or more sets of spaces graduated and numbered on its surface, for measuring or laying off distances, etc., as in drawing, plotting, and the like. See Gunter's scale. (b) A series of spaces marked by lines, and representing proportionately larger distances; as, a scale of miles, yards, feet, etc., for a map or plan. (c) A basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale; the binary scale, etc. (d) (Mus.) The graduated series of all the tones, ascending or descending, from the keynote to its octave; -- called also the gamut. It may be repeated through any number of octaves. See Chromatic scale, Diatonic scale, Major 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. Oft have I scaled the craggy oak. Spenser. Scale v. i.To lead up by steps; to ascend. [Obs.] Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, That scaled by steps of gold to heaven-gate, Looks down with wonder. Milton. スポンサード リンク
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