scale (2) — OAT

scale2

noun

1 the Celsius scale of temperature:

calibrated system, calibration, graduated system, system of measurement, measuring system, register.

2 two men at opposite ends of the social scale:

hierarchy, ladder, ranking, pecking order, order, spectrum, progression, succession, sequence, series.

3 the number of points needed to represent the line will depend on the scale of the map:

ratio, proportion, relative size.

4 no one foresaw the scale of the disaster:

extent, size, scope, magnitude, dimensions, range, breadth, compass, degree, reach, spread, sweep.

verb

thieves scaled an 8ft high fence:

climb, ascend, go up, go over, clamber up, shin (up), scramble up, mount;

North American shinny (up);

rare escalade.

□ scale something down

manufacturing capacity has been scaled down:

reduce, cut down, cut back, cut, make cutbacks in, decrease, lessen, lower, trim, slim down, prune, curtail.

□ scale something up

the departments intend to scale up their activities:

increase, expand, augment, build up, add to;

step up, boost, escalate.