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scale |
12 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Micrometer \Mi*crom"e*ter\, n. [Micro- + -meter: cf F. microm[`e]tre.] An instrument, used with a telescope or microscope, for measuring minute distances, or the apparent diameters of objects which subtend minute angles. The measurement given directly is that of the image of the object formed at the focus of the object glass. {Circular, or Ring}, {micrometer}, a metallic ring fixed in the focus of the object glass of a telescope, and used to determine differences of right ascension and declination between stars by observations of the times at which the stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring. {Double image micrometer}, a micrometer in which two images of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their line of section by a screw, and distances are determined by the number of screw revolutions necessary to bring the points to be measured into optical coincidence. When the two images are formed by a bisected object glass, it is called a divided-object-glass micrometer, and when the instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is known as a heliometer. {Double refraction micrometer}, a species of double image micrometer, in which the two images are formed by the double refraction of rock crystal. {Filar, or Bifilar}, {micrometer}. See under {Bifilar}. {Micrometer} {caliper or gauge} (Mech.), a caliper or gauge with a micrometer screw, for measuring dimensions with great accuracy. {Micrometer head}, the head of a micrometer screw. {Micrometer microscope}, a compound microscope combined with a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and geodetical instruments. {Micrometer screw}, a screw with a graduated head used in some forms of micrometers. {Position micrometer}. See under {Position}. {Scale}, or {Linear}, {micrometer}, a minute and very delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the field of a telescope or microscope, for measuring distances by direct comparison. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scale \Scale\, v. t. 1. To strip or clear of scale or scales; as to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler. 2. To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off as a surface. ``If all the mountains were scaled, and the earth made even.'' --T. Burnet. 3. To scatter; to spread. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] 4. (Gun.) To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder. --Totten. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scale \Scale\ (sk[=a]l), n. [AS. sc[=a]le; perhaps influenced by the kindred Icel. sk[=a]l balance, dish, akin also to D. schaal a scale, bowl, shell, G. schale, OHG. sc[=a]la, Dan. skaal drinking cup, bowl, dish, and perh. to E. scale of a fish. Cf {Scale} of a fish, {Skull} the brain case.] 1. The dish of a balance; hence the balance itself an instrument or machine for weighing; as to turn the scale; -- chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively. Long time in even scale The battle hung. --Milton. The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no more Now than my vows. --Waller. 2. pl (Astron.) The sign or constellation Libra. {Platform scale}. See under {Platform}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scale \Scale\, v. i. 1. To separate and come off in thin layers or lamin[ae]; as some sandstone scales by exposure. Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found but the old shells never so it is likely that they scale off --Bacon. 2. To separate; to scatter. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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[deg] to 90[deg] in a circle of given radius, -- used in measuring given angles and in plotting angles of given numbers of degrees. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scale \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.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scale \Scale\, n. [Cf. AS scealu scalu, a shell, parings; akin to D. schaal G. schale, OHG. scala, Dan. & Sw skal a shell, Dan. ski[ae]l 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. ['e]caille scale of a fish, and ['e]cale 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. (Zo["o]l.) 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}. 4. (Zo["o]l.) A scale insect. (See below.) 5. (Bot.) A small appendage like a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form and often in arrangement; as the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns. 6. The thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of {Pocketknife}. 7. An incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler. 8. (Metal.) The thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, {Fe3O4}. Also a similar coating upon other metals. {Covering scale} (Zo["o]l.), a hydrophyllium. {Ganoid scale}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Ganoid}. {Scale armor} (Mil.), armor made of small metallic scales overlapping, and fastened upon leather or cloth. {Scale beetle} (Zo["o]l.), the tiger beetle. {Scale carp} (Zo["o]l.), a carp having normal scales. {Scale insect} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of small hemipterous insects belonging to the family {Coccid[ae]}, in which the females, when adult, become more or less scalelike in form They are found upon the leaves and twigs of various trees and shrubs, and often do great damage to fruit trees. See {Orange scale},under {Orange}. {Scale moss} (Bot.), any leafy-stemmed moss of the order {Hepatic[ae]}; -- so called from the small imbricated scalelike leaves of most of the species. See {Hepatica}, 2, and {Jungermannia}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Sexagenary \Sex*ag"e*na*ry\, a. [L. sexagenarius fr sexageni sixty each akin to sexaginta sixty, sex six: cf sexag['e]naire. See {Six}.] Pertaining to or designating, the number sixty; poceeding by sixties; sixty years old {Sexagenary arithmetic}. See under {Sexagesimal}. {Sexagenary}, or {Sexagesimal}, {scale} (Math.), a scale of numbers in which the modulus is sixty. It is used in treating the divisions of the circle. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diminished}; p. pr & vb n. {Diminishing}.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf L. diminuere F. diminuer OE diminuen. See {Dis-}, and {Minish}.] 1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to {augment} or {increase}. Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt. --Barrow. 2. To lessen the authority or dignity of to put down to degrade; to abase; to weaken. This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson (More's Utopia). I will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations. --Ezek. xxix. 15. O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads. --Milton. 3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as a diminished seventh 4. To take away to subtract. Neither shall ye diminish aught from it --Deut. iv 2. {Diminished column}, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. {Diminished}, or {Diminishing}, {scale}, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt. {Diminishing rule} (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. {Diminishing stile} (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors. Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See {Decrease}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: scale n 1: an ordered reference standard: "judging on a scale of 1 to 10" [syn: {scale of measurement}, {graduated table}, {ordered series}] 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: a specialized leaf or bract that protects a bud or catkin [syn: {scale leaf}] 5: a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin [syn: {scurf}] 6: a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave) [syn: {musical scale}] 7: an instrument for weighing; shows amount of mass [syn: {weighing machine}] 8: an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks 9: a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners) [syn: {plate}, {shell}] 10: a flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals v 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" [syn: {surmount}] 5: climb up by means of a ladder 6: remove the scales from "scale fish" [syn: {descale}] 7: measure with or as if with scales; "scale the gold" 8: size or measure according to a scale
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