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  • vernier
    vernier
    noun
    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.
  • Vernier
    Vernier
    noun
    Pierre 1580–1637, French mathematician and inventor.

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.


adjective

  1. equipped with a vernier.

    a vernier barometer.

Vernier 2 American  
[vur-nee-er, ver-nyay] / ˈvɜr ni ər, vɛrˈnjeɪ /

noun

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


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

"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

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.


Etymology

Origin of vernier

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2017

On a signal from earth it fired its three vernier engines, rose ten feet from the surface and then landed again, eight feet from its original site.

From Time Magazine Archive

These course corrections were made by controllable vernier rockets and slight changes of the direction in the thrust of the main engine.

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

A cheap instrument has an open face and plain frame, with sliding vernier instead of rack-and-pinion motion.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Henry Negretti

"In creating this piece, there were at least 20,000 back-and-forth exchanges between the algorithms and the creative team," said Gauthier Vernier of Obvious.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

France had the final say when prop Rose Bernadou crashed over after Gabrielle Vernier broke the line.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2023

“We are so happy to play a semifinal next week,” France captain Gabrielle Vernier said.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2022

“We're far away from people being in a mode where they're saying this is a distressed scenario,” said Michel Vernier, head of fixed income strategy at Barclays Private Bank.

From Reuters ● Oct. 12, 2022

When fine work is necessary a Vernier is employed.

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Victor Wilfred Pag?

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