http://s15/mw690/4179439dgd3ee8213b48e&690


scale  [skeil]
n.规模；等级；天平；磅秤；音阶；比例；刻度；鱼鳞；磷状物
vt.攀登；称重；刮磷；剥落

　
核心范畴：来自scar 刻痕，伤痕 含义的辐射型发展。动词用法属于词性活用的范畴。
由刻痕引申为：刻度，比例，等级，范围，规模
由刻痕引申为：音阶，台阶（动词为攀登）
由刻痕引申为：天平，磅秤（动词为称重）
由刻痕引申为：鱼鳞，鳞状物（动词为刮鳞，剥落）

考虑到有些童鞋有密集物恐惧症，这里就不贴鱼鳞的图片了。
scar又是狮子王里面的一个角色，中文叫做“刀疤”，大家还记得吧！

http://s14/mw690/4179439dgd3ee99c9f16d&690

来自韦伯斯特的解释：

1scale 1    n.
Pronunciation:     'skāl
Function:           noun
Etymology:          Middle English scole, scale bowl, scale of a balance, from Old Norse skāl; akin to Old Norse skel shell ― more at SHELL
Date:               14th century

1 a : either pan or tray of a balance b : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends ― usually used in plural

2 : an instrument or machine for weighing 2scale 2    n.
Function:           verb
Inflected Form:    scaled ; scal·ing
Date:               1691

transitive verb : to weigh in scales
intransitive verb : to have a specified weight on scales 3scale 3    n.
Function:           noun
Etymology:          Middle English, from Anglo-French escale, eschale, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English scealu shell, husk ― more at SHELL
Date:               14th century

1 a : a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming part of the external body covering especially of a fish b : a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale c : the scaly covering of a scaled animal

2 : a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin

3 : a thin coating, layer, or incrustation: as a : a usually black scaly coating of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (as iron) when it is heated for processing b : a hard incrustation usually rich in sulfate of calcium that is deposited on the inside of a vessel (as a boiler) in which water is heated

4 a : a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion b : a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody bract

5 a : any of the small overlapping usually metal pieces forming the outer surface of scale armor

b : SCALE ARMOR

6 a : SCALE INSECT b : infestation with or disease caused by scale insects
 –scaled \'skā(ə)ld\ adjective
 –scale·less \'skāl-ləs\ adjective 4scale 4    n.

Function:           verb
Inflected Form:    scaled ; scal·ing
Date:               15th century

transitive verb
1 : to remove the scale or scales from (as by scraping)
2 : to take off in thin layers or scales
3 : to throw (as a thin flat stone) so that the edge cuts the air or so that it skips on water : SKIM

intransitive verb
1 : to separate and come off in scales : FLAKE
2 : to shed scales 5scale 5    n.
Function:           verb
Inflected Form:    scaled ; scal·ing
Etymology:          Middle English, from 6scale
Date:               14th century

transitive verb
1 a : to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders b : to climb up or reach by means of a ladder c : to reach the highest point of : SURMOUNT
2 a : to arrange in a graduated series b (1) : to measure by or as if by a scale (2) : to measure or estimate the sound content of (as logs) c : to pattern, make, regulate, set, or estimate according to some rate or standard : ADJUST ― often used with back, down, or up

intransitive verb
1 : to climb by or as if by a ladder
2 : to rise in a graduated series
3 : MEASURE 6scale 6    n.

Function:           noun
Etymology:          Middle English, from Late Latin scala ladder, staircase, from Latin scalae, plural, stairs, rungs, ladder; akin to Latin scandere to climb ― more at SCAN
Date:               15th century

1 a obsolete : LADDER b archaic : a means of ascent

2 : a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals

3 : something graduated especially when used as a measure or rule: as a : a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (as the height of the mercury in a thermometer) b : an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances c : RULER 3

4 a : a graduated series or scheme of rank or order b : MINIMUM WAGE 2

5 a : a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original) b : a distinctive relative size, extent, or degree

6 : a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
 –scale adjective
 –to scale : according to the proportions of an established scale of measurement 7scale 7    n.

Function:           noun
Etymology:          5scale
Date:               circa 1587

1 obsolete : ESCALADE
2 : an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber scale (as used in expressions) 8    n.

armored scale
Beaufort scale
Binet Simon scale
Brix scale
bud scale
chromatic scale
cottony cushion scale
economy of scale
full scale
gapped scale
gray scale
HO scale
large scale integration
Mercalli scale
Mohs' scale
platform scale
purple scale
Richter scale
San Jose scale
to scale
scale armor
scale down
scale insect
scale up
sliding scale
small scale
wage scale
tip the scales

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