[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

scale \scale\, n. l. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin
   to scandere to climb. see scan; cf. escalade.
   1. a ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending. obs.
      1913 webster

   2. hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a
      measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals.
      specifically:
      a a mathematical instrument, consisting of a slip of
          wood, ivory, or metal, with one or more sets of spaces
          graduated and numbered on its surface, for measuring
          or laying off distances, etc., as in drawing,
          plotting, and the like. see gunter's scale.
      b a series of spaces marked by lines, and representing
          proportionately larger distances; as, a scale of
          miles, yards, feet, etc., for a map or plan.
      c a basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale;
          the binary scale, etc.
      d mus. the graduated series of all the tones,
          ascending or descending, from the keynote to its
          octave; -- called also the gamut. it may be repeated
          through any number of octaves. see chromatic scale,
          diatonic scale, major scale, and minor scale,
          under chromatic, diatonic, major, and minor.
          1913 webster

   3. gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps
      and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative
      rank or order; as, a scale of being.
      1913 webster

            there is a certain scale of duties . . . which for
            want of studying in right order, all the world is in
            confusion.                            --milton.
      1913 webster

   4. relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of
      parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any
      complex thing, compared with other like things;
      especially, the relative proportion of the linear
      dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to
      the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object
      that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a
      mile.
      1913 webster

   scale of chords, a graduated scale on which are given the
      lengths of the chords of arcs from 0deg to 90deg in a
      circle of given radius, -- used in measuring given angles
      and in plotting angles of given numbers of degrees.
      1913 webster
see also:
scan escalade gunter's scale gamut chromatic scale diatonic scale 
major scale minor scale chromatic diatonic major 
minor scale of chords 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

chord \chord\ k^ord, n. l chorda a gut, a string made of a
   gut, gr. chordh`. in the sense of a string or small rope, in
   general, it is written cord. see cord.
   1. the string of a musical instrument. --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. mus. a combination of tones simultaneously performed,
      producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common
      chord.
      1913 webster

   3. geom. a right line uniting the extremities of the arc of
      a circle or curve.
      1913 webster

   4. anat. a cord. see cord, n., 4.
      1913 webster

   5. engin. the upper or lower part of a truss, usually
      horizontal, resisting compression or tension. --waddell.
      1913 webster

   accidental, common,  vocal chords. see under
      accidental, common, and vocal.

   chord of an arch. see illust. of arch.

   chord of curvature, a chord drawn from any point of a
      curve, in the circle of curvature for that point.

   scale of chords. see scale.
      1913 webster
see also:
cord accidental, common,  vocal chords accidental common vocal 
chord of an arch arch chord of curvature scale of chords scale 

Scale >> S Words
Scale, definition of term: Scale
scale_pag1.html

Chords >> C Words
Chords, definition of term: Chords
chords_pag1.html

Scale Factor >> S Words
Scale Factor, definition of term: Scale Factor
scale+factor_pag1.html

Time Scale >> T Words
Time Scale, definition of term: Time Scale
time+scale_pag1.html

Richter Scale >> R Words
Richter Scale, definition of term: Richter Scale
richter+scale_pag1.html

Spring Scale >> S Words
Spring Scale, definition of term: Spring Scale
spring+scale_pag1.html

Musical Scale >> M Words
Musical Scale, definition of term: Musical Scale
musical+scale_pag1.html

Diatonic Scale >> D Words
Diatonic Scale, definition of term: Diatonic Scale
diatonic+scale_pag1.html

Fish Scale >> F Words
Fish Scale, definition of term: Fish Scale
fish+scale_pag1.html

Major Scale >> M Words
Major Scale, definition of term: Major Scale
major+scale_pag1.html

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