micrometer caliper
- noun
- /ˈmaɪkrəˌmɛtər ˈkælɪpər/
- Specialized
- The engineer used a micrometer caliper to check the thickness of the metal sheet.
Examples
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She carefully adjusted the micrometer caliper before recording her measurements.
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Accurate readings from a micrometer caliper are essential in precision engineering.
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The micrometer caliper measures thickness accurately.
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He uses a micrometer caliper for his projects.
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Accurate readings from a micrometer caliper are essential in precision engineering.
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The engineer used a micrometer caliper to check the thickness of the metal sheet.
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She carefully adjusted the micrometer caliper before recording her measurements.
Synonyms
A tool for measuring the distance between two opposite sides of an object
A small tool for measuring very small distances or thicknesses accurately
A tool that measures very small distances or thicknesses using a fine screw
A small tool with a fine scale that measures very small distances accurately
How Precise
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents are instrument nouns whose meanings (a micrometer: a precision thickness instrument; a caliper: a device for measuring distances) combine straightforwardly to yield a precision measuring instrument. This noun–noun compounding is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Micrometer caliper comes from two parts: micrometer (a 'very small measurement') and caliper (a 'tool with jaws that close to measure thickness'). Picture tiny jaws and a fine screw that move a little to check thin objects, and that's why the name means a tool for very accurate, small measurements.