calipers
English
WOTD – 5 August 2009
![](../I/OutsideCalipers.jpg.webp)
Calipers
Alternative forms
Etymology
A corruption of caliber.
Noun
calipers pl (plural only)
- A device used to measure thickness between two surfaces, especially for small or precise measurements.
- 1902, Joseph Conrad, chapter I, in Heart of Darkness:
- "Good, good for there," he mumbled, and then with a certain eagerness asked me whether I would let him measure my head. Rather surprised, I said Yes, when he produced a thing like calipers and got the dimensions back and front and every way, taking notes carefully.
-
- (Britain) A metal (orthopedic) leg support.
- Synonym: leg braces (US)
Related terms
Translations
device used to measure thickness between two surfaces
|
|
See also
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.