scale

Definition

  • noun: a device that is used for weighing people or things
  • noun: either pan or tray of a balance
  • noun: a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming part of the external body covering especially of a fish
  • verb: to remove the scales from (a fish)
  • verb: to weigh in 'scales'
  • verb: to climb to the top of (something)
  • usually singular
  • synonyms: scatter, spread, separate

Examples

  • The model of the new city hall is 'to scale'. [=the model shows exactly how the parts will relate to each other when it is built]

  • She 'scaled the heights of' the publishing industry. [=she rose to a very high position in the publishing industry]

  • Their equipment isn't suitable for 'large-scale' production. [=it cannot be used to make things in large amounts]

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) We think we have Priests in Boston that fit this pattern, which would be a very... a very big story. Does that sound right to you, uh, in terms of scale? No, not really, Robby. Sounds low to me. My estimates suggest six percent act out sexually with minors. Uh, six percent (..)
    2015 Spotlight