Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.

Scale

Definition: Scale

Scale

Noun

1. An ordered reference standard: "judging on a scale of 1 to 10".

2. Relative magnitude; "they entertained on a grand scale".

3. The ratio between the size of something and a representation of it; "the scale of the map"; "the scale of the model".

4. An indicator having a graduated sequence of marks.

5. A specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin.

6. A thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin.

7. A series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave).

8. A measuring instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass.

9. A metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners).

10. : a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals.

Verb

1. Measure by or as if by a scale; "This bike scales only 25 pounds.

2. Pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard.

3. Take by attacking with scaling ladders; "The troops took the fort".

4. Reach the highest point of; "We scaled the Mont Blanc".

5. Climb up by means of a ladder.

6. Remove the scales from; "scale fish".

7. Measure with or as if with scales; "scale the gold".

8. Size or measure according to a scale.

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "scale" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1010. (references)

Etymology: Scale \Scale\ (sk[=a]l), noun. [Anglo-Saxon sc[=a]le; perhaps influenced by the kindred Icelandic sk[=a]l balance, dish, akin also to Dutch schaal a scale, bowl, shell, German schale, Old High German sc[=a]la, Danish skaal drinking cup, bowl, dish, and perhaps to English scale of a fish. Compare to Scal. (references)

 

Specialty Definition: Scale

DomainDefinition

Economics

The scale is. . . the chain of superiors ranging from the ultimate authority to the lowest ranks. Source: European Union. (references)

Geography

The ratio or fraction between the distance on a map, chart, or photograph and the corresponding distance on the surface of the earth. Source: European Union. (references)

Industry

Flake of metal oxide or graphite included in the glass or stuck to its surface during forming. Source: European Union. (references)

Medicine

Any instrument for measurement. Source: European Union. (references)

Metallurgy

Mill scale : the heavy oxide layer formed during hot fabrication or heat treatment of metals. Especially applied to iron and steel. Source: European Union. (references)

Meteorology & Standards

Distribution of divisions on the scale of an apparatus(linear, logarithmic, quadratic, etc. ). (The corresponding French IEC definition reads:"The whole of the divisions. . . "). A later version:scale marks. Source: European Union. (references)

Mining

A. The ratio between linear distance on a map, chart, globe, model, or photograph and the corresponding distance on the surface being mapped. It may be expressed in the form either of a direct or verbal statement using different units (e.g., 1/24,000 or 1:24,000, indicating that one unit on the map represents 24,000 identical units on the ground) or a graphic measure (such as a bar or line marked off in feet, miles, or kilometers) b. Loose, thin fragments of rock, threatening to break or fall from the roof or wall of a mine. To remove such fragments. c. Crude paraffin wax, obtained by filtering the cooled heavy distillation from petroleum or shale d. A fault, in glass or vitreous enamelware, in the form of an embedded particle of metal oxide or carbon e. Newc. A small portion of air abstracted from the main current. Also called scale of air, and sometimes spelled skail. f. To regulate the air current in a roadway g. Used among English miners for carbonaceous shale interbedded with thin layers of coal h. The flakes and rubble that fall in after the ore has been remove. (references)

Physics

A graduated rod, usually of flat section, used to take linear measurements. Source: European Union. (references)
 That part of a measuring instrument, whether connected to the instrument or separate from it(as in a reflecting instrument), on which the graduations are marked. A scale may be either straight or curved, e. g. circular. Source: European Union. (references)

Public Administration

To grade or measure according to a schedule; to increase or decrease a basic amount proportionately or according to a graduated schedule. For example, to scale down (or up) wages, interest, prices. . Source: European Union. (references)

Science

The relationship of the length between two points as shown on a map and the distance between the same two points on the Earth. (references)

Statistics

The generalized concept of the variability or dispersion of a distribution. Source: European Union. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Specialty Definition: Scalability

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In telecommunications and software engineering, scalability indicates a system's ability to adapt to a increasing load or number of users without any loss in service quality. Although scalability can be marginally improved by performance tuning, it is generally dominated by the asymptotic complexity behavior of the system's high-level system architecture.

See also:

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Scale

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

See also

Orders_of_magnitude

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Scale."

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Scale (botany)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Scale is a type of pest insect that attatches to plants and sucks plant fluids for nutrition. It coats itself with a covering (hence scale) that makes it quite resistant to pesticides, which must be used only in the juvenile crawler stage, if it is to be effective. Scale, however can be controlled with horticultural oil, which suffocates them, or by biological controls.

Cottony Cushion Scale: the pest that launched a pest control revolution with photos

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Scale (botany)."

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Scale (measurement)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

A scale is both a device used for measurement of weights, and a series of ratios against which different measurements can be compared. The latter need not always be a linear ratio, and is often logarithmic.

A draughtsman's scale refers to a ruler-like device, often with a triangular cross-section, that permits him to represent items in the same relative dimensions.

The scale of a map or enlarged or reduced model indicates the ratio between the distances on the map or model and the corresponding distances in reality or the original. E.g. a map of scale 1:50,000 shows a distance of 1 km as 2 cm, and a model on a scale 1:25 of a building with a height of 30 m has a height of 1.20 m. In model railways a number of standard scales are indicated by letters such as "G", "O", "HO", "N" and "Z".

Scales with special uses are often named after the person who invented them.

See Also

Add more examples here... A history of the measuring scale would be good too

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Scale (measurement)."

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Scale (music)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In music, a scale is a ordered series of notes, each of which is separated by a musical interval. Each note in a scale is referred to as a scale degree. Though the scales from musical traditions around the world are often quite different, the pitches of the notes in any given scale are usually related by a mathematical rule.

Scales in Western music

Scales in traditional Western music consist of seven notes, made up of a root note and six other scale degrees whose pitches lie between the root and its first octave. Notes in the scale are separated by whole and half step intervalss of tones and semitones.

There are a number of different types of scales used commonly in Western music, including:

Scale degrees

A scale degree is a numeric position of a note within a scale ordered by increasing pitch. The simplest system is to name each degree after its numerical position in the scale, for example: the first, the fourth. Because intervals are inclusive, a fifth describes a note which is four notes after the tonic.

Major scales have seven notes which are named, in order: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading-tone (or leading-note). Also commonly used is the "movable do" solfege naming convention in which each scale degree is given a syllable. In the major scale, the solfege syllables are: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do.

Non-Western scales

In traditional Western music, scale degrees are separated by tones or semitones. However, many other musical traditions employ scales that include other intervals. The music of India demonstrates some excellent examples, as some ragas employ scale intervals smaller than a semitone.

Microtonal scales

The term microtonal music usually refers to music with roots in traditional Western music that employs non-standard scales or scale intervals. The composer Harry Partch made custom musical instruments to play compositions that employed a 43-note scale system, and the American jazz vibraphonist Emil Richards experimented with such scales in his 'Microtonal Blues Band' in the 1970s.

Jazz and blues

Through the introduction of blue notes, jazz and blues employ scale intervals smaller than a semitone.

Chords

Scales are closely related to chordss, as the notes in a chord are usually a subset of a particular scale.

Psychoacoustical scales

The bark scale and the mel scale are two psychoacoustical scales.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Scale (music)."

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Scale (social sciences)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Scaling is the measurement of a variable in such a way that it can be expressed on a continuum. Rating your preference for a product from 1 to 10 is an example of a scale.

With comparative scaling, the items are directly compared with each other (example : Do you prefer Pepsi or Coke?). In noncomparative scaling each item is scaled independently of the others (example : How do you feel about Coke?).

Composite measures

Indexes are similar to scales except multiple indicators of a variable are combined into a single measure. The index of consumer confidence, for example, is a combination of several measures of consumer attitudes. A typology is similar to an index except the variable is measured at the nominal level. Scaling, indexes, and typologies are all examples of composite measures.

Data types

The type of information collected can influence scale construction. Different types of information are measured in different ways.
  1. Some data is measured at the nominal level. That is, any numbers used are mere labels : they express no mathematical properties. Examples are SKU inventory codes and UPC bar codes.
  2. Some data is measured at the ordinal level. Numbers indicate the relative position of items, but not the magnitude of difference. An example is a preference ranking.
  3. Some data is measured at the interval level. Numbers indicate the magnitude of difference between items, but there is no absolute zero point. Examples are attitude scales and opinion scales.
  4. Some data is measured at the ratio level. Numbers indicate magnitude of difference and there is a fixed zero point. Ratios can be calculated. Examples include: age, income, price, costs, sales revenue, sales volume, and market share.

Scale Construction Decisions

~ What level of data is involved (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio)?
~ What will the results be used for?
~ Should you use a scale, index, or typology?
~ What types of statistical analysis would be useful?
~ Should you use a comparative scale or a noncomparative scale?
~ How many scale divisions or categories to use (1 to 10; 1 to 7; -3 to +3)?
~ Odd or even number of divisions - odd gives neutral center value; even forces respondents to take a non-neutral position
~ The nature and descriptiveness of the scale labels?
~ The physical form or layout of the scale? (graphic, simple linear, verticle, horizontal)
~ Forced versus optional response?

Comparative Scaling Techniques

Non-comparative Scaling Techniques

Scale Evaluation

Scales should be tested for reliability, generalizability, and validity. Generalizability is the ability to make inferences from a sample to the population, given the scale you have selected. Reliability is the extent to which a scale will produce consistent results. Test-retest reliability checks how similar the results are if the research is repeated under similar circumstances. Alternative forms reliability checks how similar the results are if the research is repeated using different forms of the scale. Internal consistency reliability checks how well the individual measures included in the scale are converted into a composite measure.

Scales and indexes have to be validated. Internal validation checks the relation between the individual measures included in the scale, and the composite scale itself. External validation checks the relation between the composite scale and other indicators of the variable, indicators not included in the scale. Content validation (also called face validity) checks how well the scale measures what it is supposed to measure. Criterion validation checks how meaningful the scale criteria are relative to other possible criteria. Construct validation checks what underlying construct is being measured. There are three variants of construct validity. They are convergent validity, discriminant validity, and nomological validity. The coefficient of reproducibility indicates how well the data from the individual measures included in the scale can be reconstructed from the composite scale.

See also

List of related topics

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Scale (zoology)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In biology, a scale is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin to provide protection. Scales are quite common and have evolved multiple times with varying structure and function.

Fish scales are bony and covered with a smooth transparent tegument to improve the flow of water over them. Reptile scales are more like fingernail. Birds also have scales, commonly on their feet, and their feathers are thought to have been derived from modified scales. A few mammals also have scales, such as the pangolin, and these are originally derived from hair.

Sharks do not have scales, instead being covered with small denticles which are similar in structure to teeth. Some other fish are also scaleless or have incomplete scale coverage.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Scale (zoology)."

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Abbreviations & Acronyms: Scale

The following table is compiled from various sources, across various languages. When English abbreviations or acronyms come from a non-English source, this is noted.
EntrySourceExpressionField

SCALE

EnglishSpace checkout & launch equipmentMilitary & Defense, Transportation

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

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Synonyms: Scale

Synonyms: graduated table (n), musical scale (n), ordered series (n), plate (n), scale leaf (n), scale of measurement (n), scurf (n), shell (n), weighing machine (n), descale (v), surmount (v). (additional references)

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Synonyms within Context: Scale

ContextSynonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus).

Ascent

Climb, clamber, ramp, scramble, escalade, surmount; shin, shinny, shinney; scale, scale the heights.

Continuity

Noun: continuity; consecution, consecutiveness; Adjective: succession, round, suite, progression, series, train chain; catenation, concatenation; scale; gradation, course; ceaselessness, constant flow, unbroken extent.

Covering

Inunction; incrustation, superimposition, superposition, obduction; scale; (layer).

Gravity

Balance, scale, scales, steelyard, beam, weighbridge; spring balance, piezoelectric balance, analytical balance, two-pan balance, one-pan balance; postal scale, baby scale.

Layer

Plate; lamina, lamella; sheet, foil; wafer; scale, flake, peel; coat, pellicle; membrane, film; leaf; slice, shive, cut, rasher, shaving, integument; (covering); eschar.

Length

Pedometer, perambulator; scale; (measurement).

Littleness

Micrometer; vernier; scale.

Measurement

Bathometer, galvanometer, heliometer, interferometer, odometer, ombrometer, pantometer, pluviometer, pneumatometer, pneumometer, radiometer, refractometer, respirometer, rheometer, spirometer, telemeter, udometer, vacuometer, variometer, viameter, thermometer, thermistor (heat), barometer (air), anemometer (wind), dynamometer, goniometer (angle) meter; landmark; (limit); balance, scale; (weight); marigraph, pneumatograph, stethograph; rain gauge, rain gage; voltmeter(volts), ammeter(amps); spectrophotometer (light absorbance); mass spectrophotometer(molecular mass); geiger counter, scintillation counter(radioactivity); pycnometer (liquid density); graduated cylinder, volumetric flask (volume); radar gun (velocity); radar (distance); side-looking radar (shape, topography); sonar (depth in water); light meter (light intensity); clock, watch, stopwatch, chronometer (time); anemometer (wind velocity); densitometer (color intensity).

Part

Piece, lump, bit cut, cutting; chip, chunk, collop, slice, scale; lamina; small part; morsel, particle; (smallness); installment, dividend; share; (allotment).

Printing

Boldface, capitals, caps., catchword; composing-frame, composing room, composing rule, composing stand, composing stick; italics, justification, linotype, live matter, logotype; lower case, upper case; make-up, matrix, matter, monotype, point system: -/, -/,, point, etc.; press room, press work; reglet, roman; running head, scale, serif, shank, sheet work, shoulder, signature, slug, underlay.

Term

Noun: term, rank, station, stage, step; degree; scale, remove, grade, link, peg, round of the ladder, status, position, place, point, mark, pas, period, pitch; stand, standing; footing, range.

Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus.

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Crosswords: Scale

English words defined with "scale": absolute scaleBarnacle scale, Beaufort scale, Binary scaleCelsius scale, centigrade scale, chromatic scale, Cycloid scaleDiagonal scale, Diatonic scaleextended time scaleFahrenheit scale, fast time scale, fish scalegapped scale, Great scale, Gunter's scaleinternational scaleKelvin scalelogarithmic scalemajor diatonic scale, major scale, Mercalli scale, minor diatonic scale, minor scale, Mohs scaleNatural scaleOrange scalepentatonic scale, pH scale, Plane scale, Proportional scaleRailway scale, Rankine scale, Reaumur scale, Red scale, Richter scalescale insect, scale of measurement, scale value, Sexagesimal scale, sliding scale, slow time scale, Suspension scaletime scale, Torsion scale, Track scalevernier scaleWhite scale, wind scale. (references)
Specialty definitions using "scale": absolute temperature scale, approximate absolute temperature scale, Atterberg scaleBALANCER, SCALE, blue-sky scale, Budweiser ScaleCelsius temperature scale, centigrade temperature scale, charging scale, Chip Scale Packaging, circular scale, comparison scaledial scale, dynamic scaleequally tempered scaleF scale, Fahrenheit temperature scale, Farenheit Scale, Forel scale, Fujita Scale, fusibility scaleGlasgow Coma Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale, graduated scaleintensity scalejust scaleKelvin temperature scaleLinke blue sky scale, Linke scale, lumber scalemill scale, MODEL MAKER, SCALENorton scaleopen scale barograph, ordinal scalepH level /pH scale, Picture Quality Scale, plotting scale, Pythagorean scaleRankine temperature scale, ranking scale, Reamer temperature scale, Rinman scale, roll scale, Rossi-Forel intensity scaleSCALE ASSEMBLY SET-UP WORKER, scale division, SCALE MECHANIC, scale model, scale of hardness, scale pit, scale spacing, standard pH scale, Synoptic ScaleTESTER, ELECTRONIC SCALE, thermodynamic temperature scale, Torino Scale, trickle scaleValentine scale, vertical scale instrument systems, Very Large Scale IntegrationWentworth scale, Wooddell scale. (references)
Etymologies containing "scale": Squamula. (references)
Non-English Usage: "Scale" is also a word in the following languages with English translations in parentheses.

Italian (stairs), Occitan (balance).

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Modern Usage: Scale

DomainUsage

Screenplays

Now on a sins scale how bad is that (Runaway Bride; writing credit: Josann McGibbon; Sara Parriott)

She tested very high on the stroke-ability scale. (Wayne's World; writing credit: Mike Myers)

A single grain of rice can tip the scale; one man may be the differance between victory and defeat (Mulan; writing credit: Robert D. San Souci; Rita Hsiao)

Of course, it's a sliding scale. (Seinfeld; writing credit: Andreas Lenze; Bea Schmidt)

Its readings are off the scale. (Beast Wars: Transformers; writing credit: Bob Forward; Lawrence G. DiTillio)

Lyrics

Talken about an earthquake on the Richter scale (California Love; performing artist: 2 PAC)

The Richter scale (California Love; performing artist: 2 PAC)

No scale can measure (More Than A Woman; performing artist: Aaliyah)

Shorty had to be on the scale of one to three (Take Your Time; performing artist: HOT)

On A Global Scale (Black or White; performing artist: Michael Jackson; writing credit: Michael Jackson)

Clever

I give that landing a 9...on the Richter scale. (references; author: unknown)

Movie/TV Titles

Out of Scale (1951)

Notes on a Scale (1994)

The Tone Scale (1985)

Per le antiche scale (1975)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Commercial Usage: Scale

DomainTitle

References

  • Large Scale Biology Corporation: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

    (more reference examples)

  

Books

  • Abbreviated Injury Scale (reference)

  • The Beaufort Scale Cookbook: All-Weather Boat Cuisine (reference)

  • The Rising of the Wind: Adventures Along the Beaufort Scale (reference)

  • N Scale Model Railroad That Grows: Step-By-Step Instructions for Building Your First N Scale Layout (reference)

  • Victorian Domestic Architectural Plans and Details: 734 Scale Drawings of Doorways, Windows, Staircases, Moldings, Cornices and Other Elements (reference)

    (more book examples)

  

Periodicals

  

Theater & Movies

  • Museum of Modern Art: Large Scale Projects - Oldenburg and Van Bruggen (reference)

    (more DVD examples; more video examples)

  

Music

  

High Tech

  

Consumer Goods

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Image Slideshow: Scale

Photos:
Scale

More pictures...

Illustrations:
Scale

More pictures...

Computer Images:
Scale

More pictures...

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Photo Album: Scale

ThumbnailDescription & CreditThumbnailDescription & Credit

The image shows a close-up of a patient's body prior to radiation treatment. A lighted scale is projected onto the body to exactly line up the treatment with the tumor site. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

PET scans at the level of the basal ganglia of a normal control (1) case 1 at the start (2) and after treatment with AZT (3). In (1) there is a homogeneous pattern of glucose metabolism in the frontal, temporal and occipital cortex and in the subcortical grey matter. At the onset of treatment with AZT (2) there is a heterogeneous pattern of glucose metabolism with a relative reduction in the posterior temporal and occipital regions and the thalamus. Thirteen weeks after treatment with AZT, the abnormal pattern has partly resolved (3). All images are scaled from zero to 100% of the maximum activity within the slice (scale shown on right of figure). Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

Note the struts and perforations of the individual scale. This helps to promote heightened aerodynamic lift during the insect's flight, as well as reduce the weight of the wing mechanism. Credit: CDC.

Amongst the Anopheles mosquitoes the venation of their wings remains constant, while the scale patterns undergo variation between Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4. Anopheles gambiae is the world's most important vector for malarial parasites. Credit: CDC.

Mach 5.5 Wave Rider in Full Scale Wind Tunnel. Credit: NASA.

Submarine in Full Scale Tunnel at NACA Langley. Credit: NASA.

Comet P/Halley as taken March 8, 1986 by W. Liller, Easter Island, part of the International Halley Watch (IHW) Large Scale Phenomena Network. Credit: NASA.

Computer generated surface view of Gula Mons.For this image, we also have a special treat. Because the vertical scale on theseimages is so exaggerated (a factor of 22.5, remember), we thought you might wantto see what one of them would look like with a more realistic vertical scale.This image ofGula Mons( 8k) has beenaltered to more closely resemble the actual vertical scale. Credit: NASA.

Bear Creek Canyon, Portage Glacier Note canoe for scale of glacier Party of R. P. Strough. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Why the rock was being strained 1/2 scale explosion at Dugway Proving Ground. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Scale
 

"Old scale" by Jan Söderlund
Commentary: "Just some old scale i found."
"Scale" by Emmanuel Rivet
Commentary: "Old scale in wood."

Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Sounds Captioned with "Scale".

PlayCaptionPlayCaption
Wobbling upward scale sung from the throat.Man whistling softly, upward scale.
Electric piano scale notes.Man whistling softly, downward scale.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Familiar Quotations: Scale

AuthorQuotation

Homer

They strove to pile Ossa on Olympus, and on Ossa Pelion with its leafy forests, that they might scale the heavens.

James Russell Lowell

In the scale of destinies, brawn will never weigh so much as brain.

Johann Friedrich Von Schiller

Measure not by the scale of perfection the meager product of reality.

Plutarch

Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.

Virgil

Good speed to your youthful valor, boy! So shall you scale the stars!

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Historic Usage: Scale

AuthorDateQuotation

Communist Manifesto

1848

The lower strata of the middle class -- the small tradespeople, shopkeepers, retired tradesmen generally, the handicraftsmen and peasants -- all these sink gradually into the proletariat, partly because their diminutive capital does not suffice for the scale on which Modern Industry is carried on, and is swamped in the competition with the large capitalists, partly because their specialized skill is rendered worthless by the new methods of production. (reference)

Treaty of Versailles

1919

The boundaries described above are drawn on a German map, scale 1/100,000, attached to the present Treaty (Map No. 3). (reference)

Winston S. Churchill

1946

This might be started on a modest scale and would grow as confidence grew. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Use in Literature: Scale

TitleAuthorQuote

Emma

Austen, Jane

In this age of literature, such collections on a very grand scale are not uncommon

Tangled Tale

Carroll, Lewis

She then compares the 3 kinds of excellence, measured on this mystic scale.

A Christmas Carol

Dickens, Charles

To see the dingy cloud come drooping down, obscuring everything, one might have thought that Nature lived hard by, and was brewing on a large scale.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Douglas Adams

Mason gave him another grim look from a vast repertoire he had developed which ranged from very, very blackly grim indeed at the bottom of the scale, all the way up to tiredly resigned and only faintly grim, which he reserved for his children’s birthdays

Scarlet Letter

Hawthorne, Nathaniel

Between thee and me the scale hangs fairly balanced

Les Miserables

Hugo, Victor

This is direct religion, full of anxiety and of responsibility for him who would scale its walls

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Joyce, James

From another window open to the air came the sound of a piano, scale after scale rising into the treble

Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck, John

Scale man says you got rocks to make weight

Gulliver's Travels

Swift, Jonathan

Whether party in religion or politics were observed to be of any weight in the scale of justice

Walden

Thoreau, Henry David

By such a pile we may hope to scale heaven at last

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Non-Fiction Usage: Scale

SubjectTopicQuote

Health

Doctors often use the Glasgow Coma Scale to rate the extent of injury and chances of recovery. (references)

Only a limited number of situations have lent themselves to clinical trials and other studies on this scale. (references)

Spraying on a large scale, however, may not be economically feasible and may prompt environmental or health concerns. (references)

Business

The Army also runs large scale farms. (references)

These ports are of smaller scale than the government-own ports. (references)

It also sets forth a required scale of remuneration for overtime work. (references)

Children

Andorra

Societal discrimination does exist on a small scale. (references)

Civil Liberties

Ghana

Although the law prohibits involuntary servitude, Trokosi, a form of religious servitude usually lasting no more than 3 years, exists on a limited scale. (references)

Papua New Guinea

The UNHCR began to reduce the scale of its operations in Western Province in 1999 and coordinates the voluntary return of refugees to their homes in Irian Jaya. (references)

Discrimination

Kenya

There is credible evidence that the Government sponsored large-scale ethnic violence during the early 1990's, and there were some indications that some government officials have at least tolerated and in some instances instigated ethnic violence on a smaller scale since that time. (references)

Economic History

Chile

It exists, but only on a small scale. (references)

Sweden

The average value was 6.5 on a 1-10 scale. (references)

Human Rights

Russia

On December 13, federal forces began a large scale cleansing operation in the city of Argun. (references)

Sri Lanka

Cordon and search operations occurred regularly throughout the country during the year, although on a much smaller scale. (references)

India

Opposition leaders and human rights activists alleged that the roundup was unprecedented in scale and was intended to intimidate the opposition. (references)

Indigenous People

Ecuador

With few exceptions, indigenous people are at the lowest end of the socioeconomic scale. (references)

Bolivia

The indigenous majority generally remains at the low end of the socioeconomic scale, and faces severe disadvantages in health, life expectancy, education, income, literacy, and employment. (references)

Minorities

Niger

Occasionally tensions increased in limited areas, but no serious or large scale problems were reported during the year. (references)

Political Economy

Ghana

Trokosi, a traditional form of ritual servitude, is practiced on a limited scale in one region of the country. (references)

Yemen

Female genital mutilation (FGM) was practiced on a limited scale, primarily along the coastal areas of the Red Sea. (references)

JAPAN

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): FDI in Japan has remained extremely small in scale relative to the size of the economy. (references)

Political Rights

Gambia

Observers agreed there probably were some irregularities in the registration process, but on a much smaller scale than the UDP/PPP/GPP coalition alleged. (references)

Trade

Nigeria

The Small Scale Enterprises Scheme (SME), established by the CBN, is another source of financing for small enterprises. (references)

Qatar

Despite stated fines and penalties, the practice of a Qatari illegally lending his name to a foreign-owned/operated business has been common, but on a reduced scale in recent years. (references)

Travel

Cote D'ivoire

Beyond the SMIG, there is a scale of monthly base salary for certain occupational categories. (references)

Morocco

Moroccan women are becoming more involved in business activities, although not on a large scale. (references)

Pakistan

However, almost all Pakistanis involved in business and commerce of a certain scale have an adequate command of English. (references)

Women

Germany

Women are represented disproportionately in these lower-wage scale occupations. (references)

United Kingdom

According to a 2000 Home Office study, the 6,000 rapes and 17,500 indecent assaults recorded by the police yearly vastly underrepresents the real scale of sexual violence against women. (references)

Worker Rights

Nigeria

Private employers in the formal sector track the public sector wage scale. (references)

Lexicography

Devil's Dictionary

TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer. The Enemy of Human Souls Sat grieving at the cost of coals; For Hell had been annexed of late, And was a sovereign Southern State. "It were no more than right," said he, "That I should get my fuel free. The duty, neither just nor wise, Compels me to economize -- Whereby my broilers, every one, Are execrably underdone. What would they have? -- although I yearn To do them nicely to a turn, I can't afford an honest heat. This tariff makes even devils cheat! I'm ruined, and my humble trade All rascals may at will invade: Beneath my nose the public press Outdoes me in sulphureousness; The bar ingeniously applies To my undoing my own lies; My medicines the doctors use (Albeit vainly) to refuse To me my fair and rightful prey And keep their own in shape to pay; The preachers by example teach What, scorning to perform, I teach; And statesmen, aping me, all make More promises than they can break. Against such competition I Lift up a disregarded cry. Since all ignore my just complaint, By Hokey-Pokey! I'll turn saint!" Now, the Republicans, who all Are saints, began at once to bawl Against his competition; so There was a devil of a go! They locked horns with him, tete-a-tete In acrimonious debate, Till Democrats, forlorn and lone, Had hopes of coming by their own. That evil to avert, in haste The two belligerents embraced; But since 'twere wicked to relax A tittle of the Sacred Tax, 'Twas finally agreed to grant The bold Insurgent-protestant A bounty on each soul that fell Into his ineffectual Hell. Edam Smith

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

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Speeches: Scale

SpeakerTermPhrase(s)

John Adams

1797-1801Honor is truly sacred, but holds a lower rank in the scale of moral excellence than virtue.

James Madison

1809-1817From this view of the national affairs Congress will be urged to take up without delay as well the subject of pecuniary supplies as that of military force, and on a scale commensurate with the extent and the character which the war has assumed.

James Monroe

1817-1825The balance of power between them, into whichever scale it may turn in its various vibrations, can not affect us.

Andrew Jackson

1829-1837Within this scope, on a reasonable scale, it is recommended by every consideration of patriotism and duty, which will doubtless always secure to it a liberal and efficient support.

William H. Taft

1909-1913In the Department of Agriculture the use of scientific experiments on a large scale and the spread of information derived from them for the improvement of general agriculture must go on.

Lyndon B. Johnson

1963-1969We have set out to rebuild our cities on a scale that has never been attempted before.

Richard Nixon

1969-1974If the level of infiltration or our casualties increase while we are trying to scale down the fighting, it will be the result of a conscious decision by the enemy.

Jimmy Carter

1977-1981Construction has begun on a commercial scale coal liquefaction plant in West Virginia co-financed by the United States, Japan and West Germany.

George W. Bush

2001-2005And our greatest fear is that terrorists will find a shortcut to their mad ambitions when an outlaw regime supplies them with the technologies to kill on a massive scale.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Usage Frequency: Scale

"Scale" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 97.27% of the time. "Scale" is used about 7,477 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted)
Parts of SpeechPercentUsage per
100 Million Words
Rank in English
Noun (singular)97.27%7,2731,330
Lexical Verb (infinitive)2.5%18722,491
Lexical Verb (base form)0.17%1397,576
Unclassified Items0.03%2245,945
Noun (proper)0.03%2245,945
                    Total100.00%7,477N/A

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Name Usage Frequency: Scale

The following table summarizes the usage of "scale" based on a population census conducted in the United States. Ranks and frequencies are based on all names reported and classified.
NameUsage/GenderUsage per 100
million Persons
Rank in USA
ScaleLast name17049,586
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Usage in Company Names: Scale

CountryName
USA

Large Scale Biology Corporation

 (more examples...)

Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.

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Expressions: Scale

Expressions using "scale": abbreviated injury scale absolute scale absolute scale of temperature achieve scale approximate absolute temperature scale armored scale at the top of the scale baby scale bar scale Barnacle scale bathroom scale beam scale beaufort scale Beaufort's scale Beck's scale bigness scale Binary scale Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale brix scale brown soft scale Celsius scale Celsius temperature scale centigrade scale centigrade temperature scale chip Scale Packaging chromatic scale circular scale comparison scale cone scale conversion scale Cotton scale Covering scale Cycloid scale decimal scale Diagonal scale dial scale Diatonic scale Diminished scale Diminishing scale Douglas scale economics of scale economics to scale economies of scale economy of scale elevation scale equally tempered scale extended time scale fahrenheit scale fast time scale feather in the scale fish scale full scale Ganoid scale gapped scale Glasgow Coma Scale Glasgow Outcome Scale go to scale go to scale at go to scale at 100 kilos graduated scale gray scale Great scale grey scale gross scale Gunter's scale in scale in the opposite scale injury impairment scale International Practical Temperature Scale of 1948 International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 international scale Iron scale just scale Kelvin scale large scale large scale sackings lever scale linear scale Linke blue sky scale Linke scale logarithmic scale made to scale major diatonic scale major scale Manifest Anxiety Scale &d