[; ]the size or extent of sth, especially when compared with sth else 规模；大小；程度；范围◆The prototype was a success so we started producing it on a large scale. 原型十分成功，因此我们开始了大规模生产。◆The sales figures revealed the full scale of the company's crisis. 这些销售数字全面暴露了公司所面临的危机。
[] a range of levels or numbers used for measuring sth 等级；级别◆a five-point pay scale 五点制薪资等级◆The salary scale goes from €18 000 to €35 000. 薪资等级介於 18 000 欧元到 35 000 欧元之间。◆to evaluate performance on a scale from 1 to 10 从 1 级到 10 级的标准衡量业绩◆a scale of fees/charges 收费标准
[, ]the set of all the different levels of sth, from the lowest to the highest 等级体系◆Small businesses make up 59% of industry in the region, while at the other end of the scale, 2% employ over 500 people. 小企业占该地区企业总数的 59%，而在另一端，2% 的大企业雇员人数却超过 500 人。
[, ]the relation between the actual size of sth and its size on a map, diagram or model that represents it 比例；比例尺◆a scale model/drawing 按比例缩放的模型／图画◆a scale of 1:10 000 1:10 000 的比例◆These products are not pictured to scale (= they appear bigger or smaller than in real life). 这些产品的图示与实际尺寸不符。
[, ]an instrument for weighing people or things 天平；磅秤；秤
diseconomy of scale economy of scale large-scale pay scale salary scale sliding scale small-scale wage scale