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definitions

caliper

or cal·li·per

[kal-uh-per]
See more synonyms for caliper on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Usually calipers. an instrument for measuring thicknesses and internal or external diameters inaccessible to a scale, consisting usually of a pair of adjustable pivoted legs.
  2. any of various calibrated instruments for measuring thicknesses or distances between surfaces, usually having a screwed or sliding adjustable piece.Compare vernier caliper.
  3. thickness or depth, as of paper or a tree.
  4. Usually calipers. the pincers of an earwig.
  5. Automotive. the part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc and presses the brake pads against it.
  6. a similar part used with a hand brake on a bicycle.
verb (used with object)
  1. to measure with calipers.
verb (used without object)
  1. to use calipers.

Origin of caliper

First recorded in 1580–90; presumably variant of caliber
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for caliper

peg, compute, survey, fit, evaluate, average, limit, rank, mark, assess, adjust, gauge, determine, quantify, weigh, estimate, regulate, check, calibrate, square

Examples from the Web for caliper

Historical Examples of caliper

  • In case the bottom surface is used, 0.150 must be deducted from the reading of the caliper.

  • It is a 26-inch caliper, and will caliper up to 34 inches diameter.

  • Then the legs are closed to remove the caliper, and are reset to the scribed line.

  • Then remove the caliper and measure the distance between the caliper points.

  • The method of adjusting a spring caliper is shown at Fig. 174, H.

    Aviation Engines

    Victor Wilfred Pag

British Dictionary definitions for caliper

caliper

noun
  1. the usual US spelling of calliper
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for caliper
n.

1620s, short for calliper compass (1580s), a device used to measure caliber (q.v.). Related: Calipers.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
caliper in Medicine

caliper

n.
  1. An instrument consisting essentially of two curved hinged legs, used to measure thickness and distances.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
caliper in Science

caliper

[kăl′ə-pər]
  1. An instrument consisting of two curved legs connected at a hinge, used to measure thickness and distance. Often used in the plural as calipers.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.