~ 1
■ noun
1》 each of the small overlapping horny or bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles.
↘each of numerous microscopic tile-like structures covering the wings of butterflies and moths.
↘a rudimentary leaf, feather, or bract.
2》 a thick dry flake of skin.
3》 a white deposit formed in a kettle, boiler, etc. by the evaporation of water containing lime.
↘tartar formed on teeth.
↘a coating of oxide formed on heated metal.
■ verb
1》 remove ~ or ~s from.
2》 [often as noun scaling ] (especially of the skin) form ~s.
↘come off in ~s; flake off.
Phrases
the ~s fall from someone's eyes someone is no longer deceived. [with biblical ref. to Acts 9:18.]
Derivatives
-~d adjective
~less adjective
~r noun
Origin
ME: shortening of OFr. e~ , from the Gmc base of ~ 2 .
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~ 2
■ noun (usu. ~s ) an instrument for weighing, originally a simple balance but now usually a device with an electronic or other internal weighing mechanism.
↘either of the dishes on a simple balance.
■ verb have a weight of.
Phrases
throw something on (or into ) the ~ contribute something to one side of an argument or debate.
tip (or turn ) the ~s (or balance) be the deciding factor; make the critical difference.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'drinking cup', surviving in S. Afr. Engl.): from ON skál 'bowl', of Gmc origin.
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~ 3
■ noun
1》 a graduated range of values forming a standard system for measuring or grading something.
↘a measuring instrument based on such a system.
2》 the relative size or extent of something: no one foresaw the ~ of the disaster.
↘a ratio of size in a map, model, drawing, or plan.
3》 Music an arrangement of the notes in any system of music in ascending or descending order of pitch.
■ verb
1》 climb up or over (something high and steep).
2》 represent or draw according to a common ~.
↘(of a quantity or property) be variable according to a particular ~.
3》 ( ~ something back/down or up ) reduce (or increase) something in size, number, or extent.
Phrases
to ~ with a uniform reduction or enlargement: not drawn to ~.
in ~ in proportion to the surroundings.
Derivatives
~r noun
Origin
ME: from L. scala 'ladder', from the base of L. scandere 'to climb'.