Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

scale, in zoology

(Encyclopedia)scale, in zoology, an outgrowth, either bony or horny, of the skin of an animal. The major component of the scales of fishes is bone, and they are formed directly in the skin membrane as the fish grow...

Saffir-Simpson scale

(Encyclopedia)Saffir-Simpson scale săfˈər– [key], standard scale for rating the severity of hurricanes as a measure of the damage they cause; it is based on observations of numerous North Atlantic Basin hurric...

San Jose scale

(Encyclopedia)San Jose scale, common name for a scale insect, Aspidiotus perniciosus, introduced from China into San Jose, Calif., c.1870 on nursery stock. The insect has since spread throughout much of the United ...

Celsius temperature scale

(Encyclopedia)Celsius temperature scale sĕlˈsēəs [key], temperature scale according to which the temperature difference between the reference temperatures of the freezing and boiling points of water is divided ...

Richter, Johann Paul Friedrich

(Encyclopedia)Richter, Johann Paul Friedrich rĭkhˈtər [key], pseud. Jean Paul, 1763–1825, German novelist. He studied theology at the Univ. of Leipzig and later taught in that city. His novels combine the ide...

scale, in weights and measures

(Encyclopedia)scale, in weights and measures, instruments for determining weight, generally for other than laboratory use. For the principles of operation of all weighing devices, see balance. Platform scales utili...

Jean Paul

(Encyclopedia)Jean Paul: see Richter, Johann Paul Friedrich. ...

Paul, Jean

(Encyclopedia)Paul, Jean: see Richter, Johann Paul Friedrich. ...

Browse by Subject