caliper

cal·i·per also cal·li·per  (kl-pr) n. 1. An instrument consisting essentially of two curved hinged legs, used to measure thickness and distances. Often used in the plural. 2. A large instrument having a fixed and a movable arm on a graduated stock, used for measuring the diameters of logs and similar objects. 3. A vernier caliper. [Alteration of caliber.] cali·per v.

caliper left to right: spring and inside calipers

---

caliper

Noun

US same as calliper

---

caliper  (kl-pr) An instrument consisting of two curved legs connected at a hinge, used to measure thickness and distance. Often used in the plural as calipers.

caliper left: outside spring calipers; right: inside firm-joint calipers

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	caliper - an instrument for measuring the distance between two points (often used in the plural) calliper inside caliper - caliper for measuring inside dimensions (the size of a cavity or hole); points on its legs curve outward measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something micrometer caliper, micrometer gauge, micrometer - caliper for measuring small distances odd-leg caliper - caliper having the points on its legs both curve in the same direction outside caliper - caliper for measuring outside dimensions; points on its legs curve inward vernier caliper, vernier micrometer - a caliper with a vernier scale for very fine measurements
Verb	1.	caliper - measure the diameter of something with calipers calliper measure, measure out, mensurate - determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of; "Measure the length of the wall"