vernier scale

Scientific

A small, movable auxiliary graduated scale attached parallel to a main graduated scale and calibrated to indicate fractional parts of the subdivisions of the larger scale. Vernier scales are used on certain precision instruments to increase accuracy in measurement.

Example Sentences

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A mariner's card, set into the opening with a metal vernier scale, is in the usual form of the mariner's compass card of the 18th century; it is executed as a line engraving.

From Project Gutenberg

The vernier of the figure reading upwards, the lower edge, D, will denote the top of the barometer column; and is the zero of the vernier scale.

From Project Gutenberg

It is provided with a vernier scale graduated to hundredths of an inch.

From Project Gutenberg

A slide is made to play upon it with a vernier scale, graduated to hundredths of an inch.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023