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.]
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   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.
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   3. Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps
      and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative
      rank or order; as, a scale of being.
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            There is a certain scale of duties . . . which for
            want of studying in right order, all the world is in
            confusion.                            --Milton.
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   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.
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   Scale of chords, a graduated scale on which are given the
      lengths of the chords of arcs from 0[deg] to 90[deg] in a
      circle of given radius, -- used in measuring given angles
      and in plotting angles of given numbers of degrees.
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Chord \Chord\ (k[^o]rd), 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.
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   2. (Mus.) A combination of tones simultaneously performed,
      producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common
      chord.
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   3. (Geom.) A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of
      a circle or curve.
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   4. (Anat.) A cord. See Cord, n., 4.
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   5. (Engin.) The upper or lower part of a truss, usually
      horizontal, resisting compression or tension. --Waddell.
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   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.
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