1 (calipers) an instrument for measuring external or internal dimensions, having two hinged legs resembling a pair of compasses and in-turned or out-turned points.
(also caliper rule) a measuring instrument having one linear component sliding along another, with two parallel jaws and a vernier scale.
(also brake caliper) a motor-vehicle or bicycle brake consisting of two or more hinged components.
2 (also caliper splint)British a metal support for a person’s leg.
Origin:
late 16th century: apparently an alteration of calibre
caliper in other Oxford dictionaries
Definition of caliper in the US English dictionary
