Search Result for "scales, compasses, dividers":

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.] 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. --Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. --Hutton. [1913 Webster] 3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter. [1913 Webster] Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic. Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale. Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale. [1913 Webster]