scale 1 S2 W2 / skeɪl / 名词
1 size/level [单数形式，不可数] the size or level of something, or the amount that something is happening
scale of
We had underestimated the scale of the problem.
on a large/small/grand etc scale
There has been housing development on a massive scale since 1980.
Most alternative technologies work best on a small scale.
A structural survey revealed the full scale of the damage.
I was shocked by the sheer scale (= very big scale ) of the destruction.
on a global/international/world scale
Pollution could cause changes to weather patterns on a global scale.
Large firms benefit from economies of scale (= ways of saving money because they are big ) .
2 range [可数名词，通常单数] a whole range of different types of people or things, from the lowest level to the highest :
Some rural schools have 50 pupils, while at the other end of the scale are city schools with nearly 5,000 pupils.
up/down the scale
She gradually made her way up the social scale .
animals which are lower down the evolutionary scale (= the range of animals that have developed gradually over a long time )
3
for weighing scales [复数形式] British English , scale [可数名词] American English a machine for weighing people or objects :
a set of kitchen scales
some new bathroom scales (= scales that you use to weigh yourself ) → tip the balance/scales at tip 2 ( 6 )
4 measuring system [可数名词] a system of numbers that is used for measuring the amount, speed, quality etc of something
on a scale
The earthquakes measured 7 on the Richter scale.
changes to the company’s pay scale
Your performance will be judged on a scale of 1 to 10.
We use a sliding scale (= in which prices are not firmly fixed ) for charges.
5 measuring marks [可数名词] a set of marks with regular spaces between them on a tool that is used for measuring, or on the side of a mathematical drawing :
a ruler with a metric scale
6 map/model [可数和不可数名词] the relationship between the size of a map, drawing, or model and the actual size of the place or thing that it represents :
a map with a scale of 1:250,000
to scale
All our models are made to scale.
scale model/drawing etc (= one done using a strict scale )
a scale drawing of the Eiffel Tower
7 music [可数名词] a series of musical notes that become higher or lower, with fixed distances between each note :
the scale of G major
8 fish [可数名词，通常复数] one of the small flat pieces of skin that cover the bodies of fish, snakes etc
9 teeth [不可数名词] British English a white substance that forms on your teeth
10 water pipes [不可数名词] a white substance that forms around the inside of hot water pipes or containers in which water is boiled
11 the scales fell from sb’s eyes literary used to say that someone suddenly realized something important
→ full-scale
COLLOCATIONS
短语
on a large scale This technology has been developed on a large scale in the US.
on a massive/huge scale The drug is produced on a massive scale.
on a grand scale (= very large and impressive ) The Romans built on a grand scale.
on a small scale They started by producing and selling on a small scale.
on a human scale (= one that is small enough for people to understand and be happy with ) Architects have been asked to redesign some of the buildings on a more human scale.
on a national scale (= involving the whole country ) The survey was carried out on a national scale.
on an international scale (= involving more than one country ) Preparations to deal with an outbreak of the disease are being made on an international scale.
on a global/world scale (= involving the whole world ) This is a product that can be sold in high volumes on a global scale.
on an unprecedented scale (= more than ever before ) Propaganda techniques were used on an unprecedented scale.
economies of scale (= ways of saving money that are available to large organizations ) Merging these departments will create economies of scale.
形容词
the full scale of something He acknowledged that the full scale of the problem was not known.
the sheer scale of something (= used for emphasis ) He was shocked by the sheer scale of the suffering he witnessed.
COLLOCATIONS
短语
the top of a scale At the top of the scale come the predators.
the bottom of a scale He started at the bottom of the pay scale.
the end of a scale (= the top or bottom ) At the other end of the scale, the youngest competitor was just sixteen years old.
further/higher up a scale Peasants managed their land as skilfully as some people higher up the social scale.
further/lower down a scale Bonuses are not paid to people lower down the salary scale.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + scale
the social scale At the other end of the social scale, life is a constant struggle to get enough to eat.
the evolutionary scale (= the way in which animals have developed over time from simple ones to more complicated and more intelligent ones ) Birds are much lower on the evolutionary scale than dogs.
a pay/salary scale As a senior teacher, she has reached the top of her pay scale.
动词
move up/down a scale Some farmers prospered and moved up the social scale.