2. To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface. "If all the mountaines were scaled, and the earth made even." T. Burnet.
3. To scatter; to spread. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
4. (Gun.)
Defn: To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder. Totten.
SCALE
Scale, v. i.
1. To separate and come off in thin layers or laminæ; 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 Scale, n. Etym: [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, and Minor scale, under Chromatic, Diatonic, Major, and Minor.