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calliper

[kal-uh-per]
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noun, verb (used with object)
  1. caliper.
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caliper

or cal·li·per

[kal-uh-per]
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.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to measure with calipers.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to use calipers.
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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

Examples from the Web for calliper

Historical Examples

  • Yes, and Mrs. Calliper meant to dry them all and sell them, and buy some things for Dot and Molly and the baby.

    Harper's Young People, July 20, 1880

    Various

  • Mrs. Calliper would not let any of the children go, but she put down Dot to carry the baby.

  • Mrs. Calliper and the children heard the guns go off pretty quickly after that—bang!

British Dictionary definitions for calliper

calliper

US caliper

noun
  1. Also called: calliper compasses (often plural) an instrument for measuring internal or external dimensions, consisting of two steel legs hinged together
  2. Also called: calliper splint med a splint consisting of two metal rods with straps attached, for supporting or exerting tension on the leg
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verb
  1. (tr) to measure the dimensions of (an object) with callipers
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Word Origin

C16: variant of calibre

caliper

noun
  1. the usual US spelling of calliper
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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 calliper

n.

variant of caliper. Related: Callipers.

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caliper

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
calliper in Medicine

caliper

n.
  1. An instrument consisting essentially of two curved hinged legs, used to measure thickness and distances.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
calliper 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.