n. In surgery, an instrument for reducing dislocations.n. Pl. scalæ (-lē). In zoology and anatomy, one of three cavities of the cochlea, in man and other mammals winding spirally around the modiolus or columella of the ear, as a spiral staircase winds around the newel: in lower vertebrates much simplified.n. [capitalized] In conchology, an old generic name of wentletraps: same as Scalaria.