sliding scale

sliding scale
    n 1: a wage scale that fluctuates in response to the cost-of-
         living index
    

Sliding \Slid"ing\, a.
   1. That slides or slips; gliding; moving smoothly.
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   2. Slippery; elusory. [Obs.]
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            That sliding science hath me made so bare.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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   {Sliding friction} (Mech.), the resistance one body meets
      with in sliding along the surface of another, as
      distinguished from rolling friction.

   {Sliding gunter} (Naut.), a topmast arranged with metallic
      fittings so as to be hoisted and lowered by means of
      halyards.

   {Sliding keel} (Naut), a movable keel, similar to a
      centeboard.

   {Sliding pair}. (Mech.) See the Note under {Pair}, n., 7.

   {Sliding rule}. Same as {Slide rule}, under {Slide}, n.

   {Sliding scale}.
      (a) A scale for raising or lowering imposts in proportion
          to the fall or rise of prices.
      (b) A variable scale of wages or of prices.
      (c) A slide rule.

   {Sliding ways} (Naut.), the timber guides used in launching a
      vessel.
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37 Moby Thesaurus words for "sliding scale":
      base pay, compensation, dismissal wage, earnings, escalator clause,
      escalator plan, financial remuneration, gross income,
      guaranteed annual wage, hire, income, living wage, minimum wage,
      net income, pay, pay and allowances, payment, payroll,
      portal-to-portal pay, purchasing power, real wages, remuneration,
      salary, severance pay, take-home, take-home pay, taxable income,
      total compensation, wage, wage control, wage freeze,
      wage reduction, wage rollback, wage scale, wages,
      wages after deductions, wages after taxes