calliper

[ kal-uh-per ]

/ ˈkæl ə pər /

noun, verb (used with object)

caliper.

Nearby words

caliper

or cal·li·per

[ kal-uh-per ]

/ ˈkæl ə pər /

noun

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.

any of various calibrated instruments for measuring thicknesses or distances between surfaces, usually having a screwed or sliding adjustable piece.Compare vernier caliper.

thickness or depth, as of paper or a tree.

Usually calipers. the pincers of an earwig.

Automotive. the part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc and presses the brake pads against it.

a similar part used with a hand brake on a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

to measure with calipers.

verb (used without object)

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for calliper

Mrs. Calliper would not let any of the children go, but she put down Dot to carry the baby.
Harper's Young People, July 20, 1880|Various
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 and the children heard the guns go off pretty quickly after that—bang!
Harper's Young People, July 20, 1880|Various

British Dictionary definitions for calliper

calliper

US caliper

/ (ˈkælɪpə) /

noun

Also called: calliper compasses (often plural) an instrument for measuring internal or external dimensions, consisting of two steel legs hinged together

Also called: calliper splint med a splint consisting of two metal rods with straps attached, for supporting or exerting tension on the leg

verb

(tr) to measure the dimensions of (an object) with callipers

Word Origin for calliper

C16: variant of calibre

caliper

/ (ˈkælɪpə) /

noun

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 calliper

calliper

variant of caliper. Related: Callipers.

caliper

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

Medicine definitions for calliper

caliper

n.

An instrument consisting essentially of two curved hinged legs, used to measure thickness and distances.

Science definitions for calliper

caliper

[ kăl′ə-pər ]

An instrument consisting of two curved legs connected at a hinge, used to measure thickness and distance. Often used in the plural as calipers.