Combined metric and avoirdupois weighing device.

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Leszek L. - 14 Mar 2007 09:27 GMT

Hello,

I have a mechanical weighing device where a pointer
moves along two parallel series of numbered marks.
One of the series tells me the weight in kilograms,
the other in pounds and ounces.

When I tried to describe this contraption in English,
all I could come up with was "a scale with two scales",
or, even more perplexingly, "a two-scale scale".

Is there a more intelligible way?

Thank you - L.

Reply to this Message

Owain - 14 Mar 2007 14:02 GMT

> I have a mechanical weighing device where a pointer
> moves along two parallel series of numbered marks.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> or, even more perplexingly, "a two-scale scale".
> Is there a more intelligible way?

"scale marked in both metric and imperial"

Owain

Reply to this Message

Leszek L. - 14 Mar 2007 16:23 GMT

> "scale marked in both metric and imperial"

Thank you, but is there no word other than "scale"
for either "weighing device" or "series of marks
and numbers as a background for a moving pointer"?

I can think of a number of situations where the two
would appear in one sentence, such as describing
the assembly, wear, or maintenance of the device.

Best, L.

Reply to this Message

Owain - 14 Mar 2007 21:02 GMT

> Użytkownik "Owain" napisał w wiadomości
>> "scale marked in both metric and imperial"
> Thank you, but is there no word other than "scale"
> for either "weighing device" or "series of marks
> and numbers as a background for a moving pointer"?

You could use "scales" or "set of scales" for the device, which is often
described in the plural; each of the trays or pans on a balance is a scale.

"legend" would be an alternative for the "series of marks".

Scale (device) which reads in both metric and imperial?

Owain

Reply to this Message

Leszek L. - 15 Mar 2007 10:27 GMT

> You could use "scales" or "set of scales" for the device, which is often
> described in the plural; each of the trays or pans on a balance is a
> scale.

My device only has one tray, and a spring inside (rather
than a second tray on which to put calibrated weights).

Can I still call it a balance?

> "legend" would be an alternative for the "series of marks".

I think this largely answeres my question. I feared the day
when my contraption breaks and I would have to say
that one of the scales has come off the scale.

> Scale (device) which reads in both metric and imperial?

Thank you for this alternative circumlocution too, but I was mostly
looking for different nouns to refer to different things.

Best regards,
Leszek.

Reply to this Message

Owain - 15 Mar 2007 12:28 GMT

> My device only has one tray, and a spring inside (rather
> than a second tray on which to put calibrated weights).
> Can I still call it a balance?

I think that would be a bench scale or a platform scale, not a balance.

Owain

Reply to this Message

Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / March 2007

Combined metric and avoirdupois weighing device.