scales

Noun

• an ordered reference standard
• relative magnitude
• the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it
• a specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin
• a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
• (music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
• a measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass
• an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks
• a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
• a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals
• plural of scale
• A device for measuring weight.

Verb

• measure by or as if by a scale
  • "This bike scales only 25 pounds"
• pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard
• take by attacking with scaling ladders
• reach the highest point of
• climb up by means of a ladder
• remove the scales from
• measure with or as if with scales
• size or measure according to a scale
• third-person singular simple present indicative of scale

Examples

• The butcher put the sausages on the scales.

Synonyms

descale, exfoliation, graduated table, musical scale, ordered series, plate, scale, scale leaf, scale of measurement, scurf, shell, surmount, weighing machine

Related Words

balance, spring balance, weighing machine