Calipers

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Calipers \Cal"i*pers\, n. pl. [Corrupted from caliber.]
     An instrument, usually resembling a pair of dividers or
     compasses with curved legs, for measuring the diameter or
     thickness of bodies, as of work shaped in a lathe or planer,
     timber, masts, shot, etc.; or the bore of firearms, tubes,
     etc.; -- called also {caliper compasses}, or {caliber


     compasses}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Caliper square}, a draughtsman's or mechanic's square,
        having a graduated bar and adjustable jaw or jaws.
        --Knight.
  
     {Vernier calipers}. See {Vernier}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  calipers
       n : an instrument for measuring the distance between two points
           [syn: {caliper}, {calliper}, {callipers}]