scale etymology

Etymology of "Scale":

Proto-Indo-European: skel-, meaning "to cut, divide"

Proto-Germanic: skalo, meaning "shell, dish, bowl"

Old English: scealu, meaning "shell, dish, bowl"

Meaning of "Scale":

  1. A graduated series of marks or numbers used for measuring or comparing.
  2. A device used for weighing objects.
  3. A series of steps or levels.
  4. A coating or layer on a surface.
  5. A musical interval.
  6. A size or proportion.

Origin and Development:

The Proto-Indo-European root skel- was used to describe the process of cutting or dividing objects. In Proto-Germanic, skalo referred to a container or dish that was made by cutting out a piece of material.

In Old English, scealu came to be used more broadly to mean any kind of container, including a dish, bowl, or scale. By the 13th century, the word had acquired the specific meaning of a graduated series of marks used for measuring.

Over time, the term "scale" expanded to include other meanings related to measurement, comparison, and proportion. It was applied to devices for weighing objects, series of steps or levels, and musical intervals. The term also came to be used figuratively to describe the size or importance of something.

scale relate terms

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  • skull

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  • scurf

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  • surmount

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  • gamut

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  • squamous

    Etymology The word squamous comes from Latin squama meaning scale or fish scale

  • chromatic

    Etymology The word chromatic comes from the Greek word khroma which means color T

  • attain

    Etymology Latin attingere to touch reach Proto Indo European teg teŋk to

  • measure

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  • quantify

    Etymology Latin quantus how much ficare to make Ultimately from Proto Indo E