Scale

Different meanings and etymological roots of ‘Scale’

Scale (noun): A good digital scale is a vital piece of culinary equipment, because it means measurements used are accurate, which is particularly important in baking.  For example, a tablespoon of different brands of sugar will weigh different amounts but a gram of sugar will be the same weight irrespective of the brand or type used. A scale is recommended for any dedicated chef.

Scale (verb): To scale means to weigh—for example, “Scale that dough into 10 ounce portions for small baguettes.”

Scale (etymology)

"pan of a balance," c.1375, earlier "drinking cup" (c.1205), from O.N. skal "bowl, drinking cup," in pl., "weighing scale" from P.Gmc. *skælo "split, divide" (cf. O.N. skel "shell," O.E. scalu, O.S. skala, O.H.G. scala, Ger. Schale, M.Du. scale, Du. schaal "drinking cup, bowl, shell, scale of a balance").