3. Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being. There is a certain scale of duties . . . which for want of studying in right order, all the world is in confusion. Milton.
4. Relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile. Scale of chords, a graduated scale on which are given the lengths of the chords of arcs from 0º to 90º in a circle of given radius, — used in measuring given angles and in plotting angles of given numbers of degrees.
SCALE Scale, v. t. Etym: [Cf. It. scalare, fr. L. scale, scala. See Scale a ladder.]
Defn: 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
Scale, v. i.
Defn: 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.
SCALEBACK
Scale"back`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of marine annelids of the family Polynoidæ, and allies, which have two rows of scales, or elytra, along the back. See Illust. under Chætopoda.
SCALEBEAM
Scale"beam`, n.
1. The lever or beam of a balance; the lever of a platform scale, to which the poise for weighing is applied.