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Glite Dictionary
carpenter's rule

carpenter's rule

1 4.7
A flexible tool like a ruler with length marks used to measure and draw straight lines
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːrpəntərz ruːl/
: 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

ruler
vscarpenter's rule
24 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
rule
vscarpenter's rule
5 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

How Accurate

caliper
  • Specialized
4 6.8
carpenter's rule
1 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.