vernier

¹ American  

[vur-nee-er] / ˈvɜr ni ər /

noun

1. Also vernier scale a small, movable, graduated scale running parallel to the fixed graduated scale of a sextant, theodolite, barometer, etc., and used for measuring a fractional part of one of the divisions of the fixed scale.

2. Machinery. an auxiliary device for giving a piece of apparatus a higher adjustment accuracy.

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adjective

1. equipped with a vernier.

   a vernier barometer.

Vernier ² American  

[vur-nee-er, ver-nyey] / ˈvɜr ni ər, vɛrˈnyeɪ /

noun

1. Pierre 1580–1637, French mathematician and inventor.

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vernier British  

/ ˈvɜːnɪə /

noun

1. a small movable scale running parallel to the main graduated scale in certain measuring instruments, such as theodolites, used to obtain a fractional reading of one of the divisions on the main scale

2. an auxiliary device for making a fine adjustment to an instrument, usually by means of a fine screw thread

3. (modifier) relating to or fitted with a vernier

   a vernier scale

   a vernier barometer

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Vernier Scientific  

/ vĕr-nyā′ /

1. French mathematician and maker of scientific instruments, known especially for his invention of an auxiliary scale (named after him) used for obtaining a highly precise reading of a subdivision of an ordinary scale.

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Etymology

Origin of vernier

First recorded in 1760–70; named after P. Vernier

Example Sentences

The Hwasong-14 had only one nozzle, and it used four vernier engines to steer the missile.

From Washington Post • Nov. 30, 2017

First they fired Surveyor's vernier engines for 33 seconds to consume more fuel and reduce the craft's landing weight.

From Time Magazine Archive

They were, Small vernier rockets near each of the craft's three legs fired to stabilize the spacecraft in a base-down attitude.

From Time Magazine Archive

Name the use of the following: Gal vanometer, vernier, oscillograph, pantograph, micrometer, pyrometer.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tube with concave mirror on stand, graduated scale with vernier and lens for reading one-tenth of a degree of rotation.

From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst