scalare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteTechnical (Ornithology), Archaic
Quick answer
What does “scalare” mean?
A technical term meaning 'to ascend or climb', now almost exclusively used in ornithology to refer to a type of climbing flight in birds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technical term meaning 'to ascend or climb', now almost exclusively used in ornithology to refer to a type of climbing flight in birds.
In modern, everyday English, it is essentially obsolete. It persists only as a highly specific ornithological descriptor for flight patterns and historically in mathematics or music. The term 'scalar' (from the same root) is the vastly more common modern derivative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary differences in general usage, as the word is obsolete. In technical ornithological contexts, any usage would be identical.
Connotations
Purely technical or historical; carries a formal, learned, or archaic feel.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in both dialects. 'Scalar' is the living descendant.
Grammar
How to Use “scalare” in a Sentence
[Bird/Subject] + scalare + [Prepositional Phrase e.g., 'up the thermal']Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “scalare” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The eagle was observed to scalare the thermal column with remarkable efficiency.
American English
- In older texts, birds of prey are described as able to scalare rising columns of warm air.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Extremely rare; might appear in historical texts on ornithology or physics/math etymology discussions.
Everyday
Never used. 'Climb' or 'go up' would be used instead.
Technical
Used in specific ornithological descriptions of bird flight (e.g., describing raptors using thermals).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “scalare”
- Using it in modern English expecting to be understood.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'scalar'.
- Pronouncing it like 'scalar' (SKAY-lar). The original has three syllables.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered obsolete in modern English. Its derivatives ('scale', 'escalate', 'scalar') are common.
The adjective/noun 'scalar', used in mathematics and physics to denote a quantity with magnitude but no direction.
It is not recommended, as it will likely confuse readers. Use standard terms like 'climb', 'ascend', or 'scale' (as a verb) instead.
No, that is a coincidence. The fish name 'Pterophyllum scalare' comes from a different Latin root, likely referring to the shape of its scaly sheaths or its ladder-like markings.
A technical term meaning 'to ascend or climb', now almost exclusively used in ornithology to refer to a type of climbing flight in birds.
Scalare is usually technical (ornithology), archaic in register.
Scalare: in British English it is pronounced /skəˈlɛːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskeɪˌlɛri/ or /skəˈlɛri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SCALe' and 'scALAR' – both come from the idea of climbing steps (a scale) or increasing magnitude (a scalar quantity). 'Scalare' is the original climbing verb.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS UPWARDS MOTION / INCREASE IS ASCENT (e.g., 'scaling new heights', 'escalate').
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you VERY RARELY encounter the word 'scalare' in modern English?