Meaning & use
calliper
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Meanings
nounusually plural
A tool with two adjustable arms or jaws that is used to measure the thickness or distance across an object.
Grammar: Often plural, like scissors: a pair of callipers; also used in the singular.
Patterns
- measure something with callipers
- a pair of callipers
The engineer checked the rod with a digital calliper.
Use callipers to measure the width of the pipe.
She slid the calliper jaws around the coin.
nouncountable
The part of a disc brake that squeezes the pads onto the disc to slow a wheel.
Grammar: Countable: a brake calliper.
Patterns
- brake calliper
The mechanic replaced a stuck brake calliper.
Red callipers stood out behind the sports car's wheels.
A sticking calliper can make the car pull to one side.
nouncountableold-fashionedmedical
A light metal support worn on a weak or damaged leg to help it bear weight.
Grammar: Often used in the plural: leg callipers.
Patterns
- wear a calliper
As a child he wore a calliper on his left leg.
The therapist adjusted her calliper.
Modern braces have replaced heavy callipers.
Word forms
| plural | callipers |
|---|
Common combinations
- vernier calliper
- A vernier calliper gives very precise readings.
- brake calliper
- The brake calliper was covered in dust.
- digital calliper
- He measured the screw with a digital calliper.
- a pair of callipers
- A pair of callipers lay on the workbench.
- measure with a calliper
- Measure with a calliper rather than a ruler for accuracy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gauge
- A gauge is a general measuring device, whereas a calliper has two jaws that grip the object.
- micrometer
- A micrometer measures even smaller distances with a screw, so it is more precise than a standard calliper.
- brace
- A brace is the usual modern word for the leg support, while calliper sounds older.
Word family
Commonly confused: calliper or calibre?
calliper vs calibre
Calibre is the inner diameter of a gun barrel or a level of quality, and it sounds similar, but it is a different word from calliper.
Practice
Which tool would you use to measure the thickness of a pipe wall precisely?
Choose one answer.
A calliper has jaws that close around an object and give a precise reading. A tape is too loose, a compass draws circles and a level checks flatness.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “calliper”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.