2. To separate; to scatter. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Scale
(Scale), n. [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.
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 0° to 90°
in a circle of given radius, — used in measuring given angles and in plotting angles of given numbers of
degrees.
Scale
(Scale), v. t. [Cf. It. scalare, fr. L. scalae, scala. See Scale a ladder.] 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. 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.
