vernier

ver·ni·er  (vûrn-r)

n.

1. A small, movable auxiliary graduated scale attached parallel to a main graduated scale, calibrated to indicate fractional parts of the subdivisions of the larger scale, and used on certain precision instruments to increase accuracy in measurement. Also called vernier scale.

2. An auxiliary device designed to facilitate fine adjustments or measurements on precision instruments.

adj.

Of, relating to, or having a vernier.

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[After Pierre Vernier (1580?-1637), French mathematician.]

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vernier [ver-nee-er]

Noun

a small movable scale in certain measuring instruments such as theodolites, used to obtain a fractional reading of one of the divisions on the main scale [after Paul Vernier, mathematician]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Vernier - French mathematician who described the vernier scale (1580-1637) Paul Vernier
	2.	vernier - a small movable scale that slides along a main scale; the small scale is calibrated to indicate fractional divisions of the main scale vernier scale scale - an indicator having a graduated sequence of marks