Platform scale. See under Platform.
Scale, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scaled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scaling.] To
weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or
vary according to a scale or system.
Scaling his present bearing with his past.
Shak.
To scale, or scale down, a debt, wages, etc., to reduce a debt, etc.,
according to a fixed ratio or scale. [U.S.]
Scale, n. [Cf. AS. scealu, scalu, a shell, parings; akin to D. schaal,
G. schale, OHG. scala, Dan. & Sw. skal a shell, Dan. skiæl a fish
scale, Goth. skalja tile, and E. shale, shell, and perhaps also to
scale of a balance; but perhaps rather fr. OF. escale, escaile, F.
écaille scale of a fish, and écale shell of beans, pease, eggs, nuts,
of German origin, and akin to Goth. skalja, G. schale. See Shale.] 1.
(Anat.) One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which
form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals,
belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See
Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid.
Fish that, with their fins and shining scales, Glide under the
green wave.
Milton.
2. Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in
size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone,
etc.
3. (Zoöl.) One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some
invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of
Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera.