calliper

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈkælɪpə/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(kal′ə pər)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
cal•li•per  (kal′ə pər),USA pronunciation n., v.t. 
  1. Transport, Weights and Measurescaliper.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
calliper, caliper / ˈkælɪpə/
  1. Also called: calliper compasses (often plural) an instrument for measuring internal or external dimensions, consisting of two steel legs hinged together
  2. Also called: calliper splint a splint consisting of two metal rods with straps attached, for supporting or exerting tension on the leg
  1. (transitive) to measure the dimensions of (an object) with a calliper
Etymology: 16th Century: variant of calibre
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
cal•i•per or cal•li•per /ˈkæləpɚ/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Weights and MeasuresUsually, calipers. [plural] an instrument for measuring thicknesses and diameters, usually made up of a pair of adjustable legs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
cal•i•per  (kal′ə pər),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Weights and MeasuresUsually, calipers. an instrument for measuring thicknesses and internal or external diameters inaccessible to a scale, consisting usually of a pair of adjustable pivoted legs.
  2. Weights and Measuresany of various calibrated instruments for measuring thicknesses or distances between surfaces, usually having a screwed or sliding adjustable piece. Cf. vernier caliper.
  3. thickness or depth, as of paper or a tree.
  4. InsectsUsually, calipers. the pincers of an earwig.
  5. Automotivethe part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc and presses the brake pads against it. See illus. under disc brake. 
  6. Transporta similar part used with a hand brake on a bicycle.

v.t. 
  1. Weights and Measuresto measure with calipers.

v.i. 
  1. Weights and Measuresto use calipers.
Also, calliper. 
  • presumably variant of caliber 1580–90

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
caliper / ˈkælɪpə/
  1. the usual US spelling of calliper
'calliper' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
caliper - calliper rule - disc brake - micrometer

Forum discussions with the word(s) "calliper" in the title:


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