scaling Definition

scale¹
noun

1. A series of markings or divisions at regular intervals, for use in measuring.

Thesaurus: calibration, graduation, measure, system, degrees.
2. A system of such markings or divisions.
3. A measuring device with such markings.
4. The relationship between actual size and the size as represented on a model or drawing.
5a. music.
A sequence of definite notes;
5b. music.
A succession of these notes performed in ascending or descending order of pitch through one or more octaves.
Form: scales (usually)
6. music.
The range of a voice or instrument.
7. Any graded system, eg of employees' salaries.

Thesaurus: sequence, order, continuum, gradation, ranking, progression, hierarchy.
8. math.
A numeral system.
Example: logarithmic scale
9. Extent or level relative to others. Also as adj.

Example: on a grand scale
Example: scale model

verb scaled, scaling

1. To climb.

Thesaurus: ascend, climb, clamber up, clamber down, mount, surmount, shinny up, shinny down; Antonym: descend, dismount, fall.
2. To change the size of something according to scale, making it either bigger or smaller than the original.

Form: scale up (also)
Form: scale down

Idiom: on a large scale (on a small etc scale)

In a great, small etc way.

Idiom: on the scale of (on a scale of)

In the ratio of.
Example: on a scale of one to ten

Measuring between
Example: How would you rate his performance on a scale of one to ten?

Idiom: to scale

In proportion to the actual dimensions.

Etymology: 15c: from Latin scala ladder, from scandere to mount.

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scale²
noun

1. Any of the small thin plates that provide a protective covering on the skin of fish, reptiles and on the legs of birds.

Thesaurus: plate, crust, layer, flake, lamina.
2. bot.
A reduced leaf or leaf-base, often membranous or hard and woody.
3. Any readily or easily detached flake.
4. A thin plate or lamina.
5. An overlapping plate making up scale armour.
6. biol.
A small flat detachable flake of cuticle.
7. biol.
One of many small flat structures covering and protecting the wings of moths, butterflies, etc.
8. Tartar on the teeth.
9. A crusty white deposit formed when hard water is heated, especially in kettles.
10. A film formed eg as on iron being heated for forging.

verb scaled, scaling

1. To clear something of scales.
2. To remove in thin layers.

Thesaurus: peel, exfoliate, strip off, skin, flake, scrape, clean.
intr
3. To come off in thin layers or flakes.
intr
4. To become encrusted with scale.

Derivative: scaled
adj

Derivative: scaleless
adj

Derivative: scalelike
adj

Etymology: 14c: from French escale husk.

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scale³
noun

1. A device for weighing.

Form: scales
2. The pan, or either of the two pans, of a balance.
3. astron.astrol.
Same as Libra.
Form: the Scales

verb

scaled, scaling
1. To weigh or weigh up.

Idiom: tip the scales

See under tip⁴.

Etymology: 13c: from Norse skal pan of a balance.