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.
Machinery. an auxiliary device for giving a piece of apparatus a higher adjustment accuracy.
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
an auxiliary device for making a fine adjustment to an instrument, usually by means of a fine screw thread
(modifier) relating to or fitted with a vernier
a vernier scale
a vernier barometer
First recorded in 1760–70; named after P. Vernier
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Hwasong-14 had only one nozzle, and it used four vernier engines to steer the missile.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2017
Their hopes buoyed, scientists at Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory planned a minor mid-course correction and ordered Surveyor's three small vernier engines to fire briefly.
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
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
The thumb-screw farthest from the vernier should then be screwed home, and the other thumb-screw operated to further depress the spring without causing it to lock upon the bar.
From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose
"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
Vernier, ver′ni-ėr, n. a contrivance for measuring very small intervals, consisting of a short scale made to slide along a graduated instrument.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
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