scalding hot

So hot as to scald the skin. scâld-weed, s. [ Eng.scald (a.), and weed.] Bot.: Dodder (q. v.). 1. Ord . Lang . The dish of a balance; and hence, the balance itself; a weighing instrument. (Generally used in the plural.) "A cobweb will draw down the scale when nothing offers to counterpoise."-Search: Light of Nature, pt. i., ch. vi. 2. Astron.: The sign of Libra or the Balance (스), scale-beam, s. The beam or lever of a balance. scale (1), *shale, subst . [A. S. sceale , scale (pl. scealu )=a shell or husk, cogn. with Danish & Sw. skal a shell, a pod, a husk; O. H. Ger, scala ; Ger, in the zodiac. schale; O. Fr. escale ; Fr. écale . Allied to scale (2), s., scall , scull , skill , and shell .] IMG:content-0981.png:[blocks in formation] scale (3), *skāle, subst . [Lat. scala (usually in plural, scale ) = a flight of steps, a ladder. Scala is probably for scadla or scandla , from scan do to climb, and hence that by which one climbs or ascends; Fr. échelle ; Sp. & Port.escala ; Ital.scala. ] *1. A ladder; a flight or series of steps. "On the bendings of these mountains the marks of several ancient scales of stairs may be seen, by which they used to ascend them."- Add is on : On Italy . IMG:content-0982.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-0983.png:[blocks in formation] 4. Succe ion of ascending or descending steps or degrees; progre ive series; gradation; scheme of comparative rank or order. "To their several gradations in the scale of beings."Cheyne: Philosophical Principles . 5. Anything graduated, or marked with lines or degrees at regular intervals; as (1) A measure, consisting of a slip of wood, ivory, or metal, divided into equal parts, usually main divisions and subdivisions; as, inches or octonary fractions for carpenters' work, decimal divisions and subdivisions for chain-work, duodecimal for plotting carpenters' work, which is in feet and inches. The meter and its decimal subdivisions are also sometimes employed. (2) Any instrument, figure, or scheme graduated for the purpose of measuring extent or proportions. (3) A line drawn upon any solid substance, as wood, ivory, paper, ., and divided into parts equal or unequal, which may be transferred by means of the dividers, to aid in geometrical construction. scale. the modern system of octaves. When the scales, whatever the pitch, start from do , the system is said to be that of the movable do ; when the first note of the scale is called do , re , mi , ., according to a stated pitch called do , the system is called that of the fixed do . (6) In painting, a figure subdivided by lines like a ladder, which is used to measure proportions be tween pictures and the things represented. 6. Relative dimensions without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components of any complex thing compared with other like things; as, a plan drawn on a scale of one inch to a foot; to do things on a grand scale. (1) Drawn to scale : Drawn proportionally. [6.] (2) Scale of a series : In algebra, a succe ion of terms, by the aid of which any term of a recurring series may be found, when a sufficient number of the preceding ones are given. (3) Scale of longitudes : A scale used for determining graphically the number of miles in a degree of longitude in any latitude. scale-micrometer, subst. A linear micrometer (q. v.). IMG:content-0984.png:[blocks in formation] II. Technically : 3563 1. Dent.: To remove tartar from the teeth. 2. Gun .: To clean the inside of a cannon by the explosion of a small quantity of gunpowder therein. B. Intransitive: 1. To separate and come off in thin lamine or layers. "The glaze rose in bubbles and scaled off, refusing to adhere to the surface." - Fortnum : Majolica , p. 5. *2. To separate; to break up and disperse. "They would no longer abide, but scaled and departed away." Holished: Chronicles 499.