Langimage
English

scales

|scales|

B1

/skeɪlz/

(scale)

measurement or climbing

Base FormPluralPresent3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleAdjective
scalescalesscalesscalesscaledscaledscalingscalable
Etymology
Etymology Information

'scale' originates from the Old Norse word 'skál,' meaning 'bowl' or 'cup,' which was used to refer to the weighing pan of a balance.

Historical Evolution

'skál' transformed into the Old English word 'scealu,' eventually becoming the modern English word 'scale.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to a 'bowl' or 'cup,' but over time it evolved to mean a device for weighing.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a device used for weighing objects or people.

The scales showed that the package weighed 5 kilograms.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a series of musical notes ordered by pitch.

She practiced her scales on the piano every day.

Synonyms

Noun 3

thin, flat, hard plates that form the outer covering of fish and reptiles.

The fish's scales shimmered in the sunlight.

Synonyms

Verb 1

to climb up or over something.

He scaled the wall to escape.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Verb 2

to remove scales from a fish.

She scaled the fish before cooking it.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35