Found 1 items, similar to Caliber compasses.
English → English (gcide) Definition: Caliber compasses Compasses \Com"pass*es\, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster] Note: The compasses for drawing circles have adjustable pen points, pencil points, etc.; those used for measuring without adjustable points are generally called dividers. See Dividers. [1913 Webster] Bow compasses. See Bow-compass. Caliber compasses, Caliper compasses. See Calipers. Proportional, Triangular, etc., compasses. See under Proportional, etc. [1913 Webster] Caliber \Cal"i*ber\, Calibre \Cal"ibre\, n. [F. calibre, perh. fr. L. qualibra of what pound, of what weight; hence, of what size, applied first to a ball or bullet; cf. also Ar. q[=a]lib model, mold. Cf. Calipers, Calivere.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Gunnery) The diameter of the bore, as a cannon or other firearm, or of any tube; or the weight or size of the projectile which a firearm will carry; as, an 8 inch gun, a 12-pounder, a 44 caliber. [1913 Webster] The caliber of empty tubes. --Reid. [1913 Webster] A battery composed of three guns of small caliber. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] Note: The caliber of firearms is expressed in various ways. Cannon are often designated by the weight of a solid spherical shot that will fit the bore; as, a 12-pounder; pieces of ordnance that project shell or hollow shot are designated by the diameter of their bore; as, a 12 inch mortar or a 14 inch shell gun; small arms are designated by hundredths of an inch expressed decimally; as, a rifle of .44 inch caliber. [1913 Webster] 2. The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet or column. [1913 Webster] 3. Fig.: Capacity or compass of mind. --Burke. [1913 Webster] Caliber compasses. See Calipers. Caliber rule, a gunner's calipers, an instrument having two scales arranged to determine a ball's weight from its diameter, and conversely. A ship's caliber, the weight of her armament. [1913 Webster]