scale

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The size or extent of something, especially when it is large.

   They had never seen destruction on such a scale.

2. 2
   noun

   A range of levels used for measuring or comparing.

   Please rate the service on a scale of one to ten.

3. 3
   noun

   The relationship between the size of a map or model and the real thing.

   The map is drawn to a scale of one to fifty thousand.

4. 4
   verb

   To climb up something high and steep.

   The climbers scaled the cliff before dawn.

5. 5
   verb

   To change the size of something according to a fixed proportion.

   The plans were scaled down to save money.

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.

Topics