[skeɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- each of the small, thin horny or bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles, typically overlapping one another

- a thick, dry flake of skin

- a flaky covering or deposit


Phrases:
- the scales fall from someone's eyes

Origin:
Middle English: shortening of Old French escale, from the Germanic base of scale

[skeɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- remove scale or scales from
(e.g: he scales the fish and removes the innards)

- (especially of the skin) form scales
(e.g: the skin may scale and peel away with itching, stinging, or burning sensations in the infected area)


Phrases:
- the scales fall from someone's eyes

Origin:
Middle English: shortening of Old French escale, from the Germanic base of scale

[skeɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an instrument for weighing, originally a simple balance (a pair of scales) but now usually a device with an electronic or other internal weighing mechanism
(e.g: bathroom scales)

- a large drinking container for beer or other alcoholic drink


Phrases:
- throw something on the scale
- tip the scales
- tip the scales at

Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘drinking cup’, surviving in South African English): from Old Norse skál ‘bowl’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaal, German Schale ‘bowl’, also to English dialect shale ‘dish’

[skeɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- weigh a specified weight
(e.g: some men scaled less than ninety pounds)


Phrases:
- throw something on the scale
- tip the scales
- tip the scales at

Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘drinking cup’, surviving in South African English): from Old Norse skál ‘bowl’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaal, German Schale ‘bowl’, also to English dialect shale ‘dish’

[skeɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a graduated range of values forming a standard system for measuring or grading something
(e.g: a new salary scale is planned for all universities)

- the relative size or extent of something
(e.g: no one foresaw the scale of the disaster)

- an arrangement of the notes in any system of music in ascending or descending order of pitch
(e.g: the scale of C major)

- a system of numerical notation in which the value of a digit depends upon its position in the number, successive positions representing successive powers of a fixed base
(e.g: the conversion of the number to the binary scale)

- the range of exposures over which a photographic material will give an acceptable variation in density


Phrases:
- in scale
- off the scale
- to scale

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin scala ‘ladder’ (the verb via Old French escaler or medieval Latin scalare ‘climb’), from the base of Latin scandere ‘to climb’

[skeɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- climb up or over (something high and steep)
(e.g: thieves scaled a high fence)

- represent in proportional dimensions; reduce or increase in size according to a common scale

- estimate the amount of timber that will be produced from (a log or uncut tree)
(e.g: the operators were accustomed to having their logs scaled for inventory control)


Phrases:
- in scale
- off the scale
- to scale

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin scala ‘ladder’ (the verb via Old French escaler or medieval Latin scalare ‘climb’), from the base of Latin scandere ‘to climb’