or vernier caliper Instrument for making very accurate linear or angular measurements. Introduced in 1631 by Pierre Vernier ( 1580-1637), it uses two graduated scales: a main scale similar to that on a ruler, and a specially graduated scale, the vernier, that slides parallel to the main scale and enables readings to be made to a fraction of a division on the main scale
{i} Vernier scale, short graduated scale that measures fractions of divisions on fixed scale; device that provides a tool with a higher level of accuracy (Machinery)
a small movable scale that slides along a main scale; the small scale is calibrated to indicate fractional divisions of the main scale
A short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument, as the limb of a sextant, or the scale of a barometer, for indicating parts of divisions
It is so graduated that a certain convenient number of its divisions are just equal to a certain number, either one less or one more, of the divisions of the instrument, so that parts of a division are determined by observing what line on the vernier coincides with a line on the instrument
A measuring instrument consisting of an L-shaped frame with a linear scale along its longer arm and an L-shaped sliding attachment with a vernier, used to read directly the dimension of an object represented by the separation between the inner or outer edges of the two shorter arms
Precision measuring instrument with a vernier scale mounted on its movable jaw Used to make accurate internal and external measurements in thousandths of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter
short graduated scale that slides along a larger scale and is used to measure tiny distances falling between the divisions of the larger scale (invented by the French mathematician Pierre Vernier)