Master confusing words with ease
Octave vs. Scale
Octave
/ˈɒktəv/Examples:
The musical piece rose gracefully, reaching a high octave.In poetry, she employed an octave to structure her sonnet.The singer's voice soared above the orchestra, a true octave master.
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Scale
/skeɪl/Examples:
Jacques shows how to scale a fish in a plastic bag.Bring me, I pray you, my little scales.""Step on the scale," said the attendant, brusquely.
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Antonyms:
This word has no antonymsWays to tell them apart:
- The word scale can refer to a range or series of notes, while octave specifically means a series of eight notes.
- Octave is always tied to the number eight—there are eight notes in an octave in music.
- A scale in music can vary in the number of notes and can refer to major, minor, or other types.
- The word scale might remind you of sizes or levels, as in scales of measurement, because it's about progression.
- Consider octave comes from octo, the Latin word for eight.
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