Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SCALE, n.3 Gsw. slang usage, prob. of Eng. scale, a thin plate or lamina of metal or a fish's scale: a sixpence.ne.Sc. a.1900 Bothy Songs (Ord 1930) 373:
I gaed in and drank four and sixpence, And a' 'twas left was a crooked scale.
