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vernier
verniernounAlso 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.
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Vernier
VerniernounPierre 1580–1637, French mathematician and inventor.
vernier
1 Americannoun
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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.
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Machinery. an auxiliary device for giving a piece of apparatus a higher adjustment accuracy.
adjective
noun
noun
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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
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an auxiliary device for making a fine adjustment to an instrument, usually by means of a fine screw thread
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(modifier) relating to or fitted with a vernier
a vernier scale
a vernier barometer
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
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
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If this kind of cutoff is not accurate enough, small vernier rockets can be used to give the proper amount of extra push.
From Time Magazine Archive
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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
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If the vernier is adjusted to read upward, the scale should extend to 32 inches, to allow room for the vernier to be set to 31 inches at least.
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 centre Gabrielle Vernier and New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant make up the four-player shortlist.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 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
The Vernier principle can be readily grasped by studying the section of the Vernier scale and true scale shown at Fig.
From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Victor Wilfred Pag?
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