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Scales Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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scales

[skeɪlz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music

A series of notes in ascending or descending order, forming the basis of a musical composition.

Synonyms

keys, notes, tonic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scales

Repeated from above.
notes

Notes are the individual sounds that make up music. They can be identified by their pitch and duration and are the fundamental elements of musical notation.

  • She hit all the right notes during her piano recital.
  • Understanding how to read musical notes is an important skill for any musician.
keys

Keys refer to the group of pitches or scale that forms the basis of a music composition. It often indicates the tonality of the piece.

  • The song is written in the key of F major.
  • Learning the different keys is essential for playing the guitar proficiently.
tonic

Tonic refers to the first note of a scale, which gives the scale its name and serves as the home base or starting point in music theory.

  • In the C major scale, C is the tonic.
  • The melody resolved back to the tonic, giving a sense of completion.

Examples of usage

  • She played the scales on the piano before starting her performance.
  • Learning the scales is essential for any musician.
Context #2 | Noun

measurement

An instrument or device for weighing.

Synonyms

balance, weighbridge, weighing machine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scales

Used to measure weight, often in a simple or everyday setting like a kitchen or bathroom.

  • I use the scales every morning to check my weight
  • The kitchen scales help me measure ingredients accurately for baking
balance

Typically used in scientific, laboratory, or industrial settings to measure small weights with high accuracy.

  • The laboratory balance is essential for precise measurements in experiments
  • Pharmacists use a balance to measure doses of medicine accurately
weighing machine

A general term for a device used to measure weight, can be used in various contexts including industrial or everyday use.

  • The weighing machine at the grocery store helps us measure fruits and vegetables
  • The airport uses a weighing machine to check the weight of passenger luggage
weighbridge

Used for weighing vehicles, often in industrial, agricultural, or logistics contexts.

  • The truck was weighed on the weighbridge before it entered the factory
  • Farmers use a weighbridge to measure the weight of their loaded grain trucks

Examples of usage

  • The doctor asked the patient to step on the scales to measure their weight.
  • The luggage exceeded the weight limit on the scales.
Context #3 | Noun

fish

A hard, bony, overlapping plate forming the external covering of certain animals, such as fish and reptiles.

Synonyms

armour, plates, shells.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scales

Used to describe the small, hard plates that cover the bodies of fishes and reptiles.

  • The fish's scales shone brightly in the sunlight.
  • Reptiles like lizards have scales covering their skin for protection.
plates

Typically refers to flat, rigid surfaces. In biological terms, it refers to the bony or hard sections on some animals for protection. Additionally, used in a mechanical context.

  • The armadillo is protected by bony plates on its back.
  • The chef arranged the food artistically on the plates.
armour

Refers to the protective gear worn by soldiers or used on vehicles in battle situations. Can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional defense mechanisms.

  • The knight’s armour protected him in the battle.
  • She put up emotional armour to shield herself from getting hurt.
shells

Describes the hard, protective outer layer of various organisms, such as mollusks, turtles, and some insects. Also used metaphorically to describe an outer boundary or protective layer.

  • The turtle retracted into its shell when it felt threatened.
  • He finally broke out of his shell and started socializing more.

Examples of usage

  • The scales of the fish shimmered in the sunlight.
  • The snake shed its scales as it grew.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Fish have scales that help protect them from predators and reduce water resistance while swimming.
  • Reptiles, like snakes and lizards, have scales made of keratin, the same material found in human nails.
  • Some animals, like pangolins, have overlapping scales that act as armor, rolling into a ball for defense.

Art and Literature

  • Scales are often used as a motif in art, symbolizing balance and justice, as seen in depictions of Themis, the Greek goddess of justice.
  • In literature, scales can represent fairness and moral judgment, influencing characters' choices.
  • Classic tales like 'The Scales of Justice' illustrate the idea that what comes around goes around.

Pop Culture

  • In many fantasy settings, dragons are depicted with majestic scales that shimmer and provide both beauty and protection.
  • Video games often use scales to track player wealth or experience, representing growth and progression.
  • Movies like 'The Shape of Water' highlight the beauty of scaled creatures, combining fantasy with emotional storytelling.

Science

  • Scales can be found in nature as a form of adaptation, with some species using them for camouflage in their environments.
  • The study of scales can reveal information about the health and age of fish, helping in conservation efforts.
  • In physics, scales are crucial to understanding weight and mass, affecting how we perceive forces in our environment.

Origin of 'scales'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'scale' comes from the Latin term 'scala', meaning 'ladder' or 'steps', reflecting a measurement system.
  • In Old French, 'escale' referred to a set of weights for measuring, which influenced the English word.
  • The use of scales to measure weight dates back to ancient Egypt, showcasing a long history in trade.

The word 'scales' originated from the Old French word 'escale' meaning 'a ladder rung'. It was later used to refer to the graduated series of musical tones. The use of 'scales' for measuring weight dates back to the 14th century. The term 'scales' in the context of fish or reptile covering has been in use since the 14th century as well.

See also: downscale, scalable, scale, scaled, scaling, upscale.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,576, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.