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Glite Dictionary
carpenter's rule

carpenter's rule

4.7
A flexible tool like a ruler with length marks used to measure and draw straight lines
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːrpəntərz ruːl/
translation icon : regla de carpintero
  • He used a carpenter's rule to measure the wood.

Examples

  • A carpenter's rule is an essential tool in any woodworking shop.

  • Before cutting the beams, she double-checked her measurements with her carpenter's rule.

  • He used a carpenter's rule to measure the length of the wooden plank.

  • The carpenter's rule is essential for accurate measurements.

  • The carpenter used a carpenter's rule to ensure the shelves were perfectly straight.

  • When measuring the length of the wooden plank, he reached for his carpenter's rule.

  • She carefully unfolded the carpenter's rule to mark the dimensions on the plywood.

Synonyms

rule
vscarpenter's rule
95 1.0

A flat strip of wood, metal, or plastic used to draw straight lines

is flexible and suited to measuring and marking in woodworking rather than rigid use
ruler
vscarpenter's rule
29 1.0

A flat stick with marks used to draw straight lines and measure length

is flexible and designed for woodworking measurements rather than rigid use

How Accurate

caliper
  • Specialized
7 6.8
carpenter's rule
4.7

Surface Forms

carpenter's rule singular
carpenter's rules plural

Morphology

carpenter's + rule

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from 'carpenter's' (possessive of carpenter) + 'rule' (a measuring/drawing tool): it denotes a rule used by carpenters. This simple possessive + noun composition is common cross-linguistically and follows regular English noun modification patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand it.

Etymology

Carpenter's rule comes from the real tool that carpenters used: a straight, marked rule they carried to measure and draw lines on wood. So the name literally means a 'measuring tool' used by carpenters, which is why we use it for that today.