verniern.
/ˈvəːnɪə/, U.S. /ˈvərniər/ 1.
a. A device, consisting of a short movable scale, by which more minute measurements may be readily obtained from the divisions of the graduated scale of astronomical, surveying, or other mathematical instruments to which it is attached.Sometimes erroneously called a nonius (nonius n.).
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the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > graduated instruments > graduated scale > movable scale or vernier
vernier1766
1766 Instruct. for Hadley's Quadrant 17 A scale of divisions graduated on the chamfered edge or sloped side of the index, which scale is called the vernier.
1774 M. Mackenzie Treat. Maritim Surv. 28 It would likewise be an Advantage if the Vernier was made to give every Minute of a Degree, in place of four or five, as in most Theodolites.
1798 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 88 473 Another small slip of ivory is placed at each end of the arm, serving as a vernier, and subdividing these divisions into five parts.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 26 The scale of variation is furnished with an instrument called a vernier or nonius.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. xiii. 144 Though I had much clear weather we barely succeeded by magnifiers in reading the verniers.
1888 F. Rutley Rock-forming Minerals 18 For very exact work, the circle may be divided to half degrees, and a vernier may be employed.
b. attributive and in other combinations, as vernier circle, vernier division, vernier piece, vernier plate, vernier scale, etc.Also with the names of instruments or tools having a vernier scale or attachment, as vernier caliper, vernier compass, vernier transit (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech.).
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1788 Encycl. Brit. II. 587/2 The first division of the vernier piece marked 15.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 644/1 Vernier scale, a scale excellently adapted for the graduation of mathematical instruments.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 267/1 In order to read off the hundredths of an inch which the vernier zero advances beyond any tenth in the scale, we have merely to see what vernier division comes nearest to a division of the scale.
1862 Internat. Exhib.: Illustr. Catal. Industr. Dept. II. xiii. §2947 The vernier plate is carried on four arms, and a diagonal brace.
1862 Internat. Exhib.: Illustr. Catal. Industr. Dept. II. xiii. §2947 The horizontal limb, vernier circle, &c.
a1884 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 925/2 Vernier Scale sight (Rifle), a hind sight with a vernier scale for accurate adjustment.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 148 To the bottom of the stock of a Vernier slide gauge he attaches a spring.
2. Astronautics. Used attributively and absol. to designate a small auxiliary rocket engine for effecting minor changes in the velocity or attitude of a spacecraft.
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society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > spacecraft > rocket > [noun] > types of rocket engine
retro-rocket1951
sustainer1951
vernier1958
retro-engine1960
posigrade rocket1961
retro1961
thruster1962
strap-on1966
1958 Observer 12 Oct. 1/2 Eight small ‘vernier’, or guidance rockets,..had been fitted to Pioneer. Any or all of these could be fired from the earth to make any necessary correction in the final phase of the flight.
1960 Aeroplane 98 562/1 In its nose would be a third stage employing low-thrust ‘vernier’ rocket motors.
1968 A. C. Clarke 2001: Space Odyssey xxxv. 184 The main thrust died and only the verniers continued to nudge Discovery gently into orbit.
1968 Sci. Jrnl. Nov. 76/2 The rocket..had no fewer than 20 main thrust chambers and 12 swivelling verniers—small motors for fine control of speed and direction.
1979 J. W. Cornelisse et al. Rocket Propulsion x. 212 A third method to ensure ignition after coasting is the use of small (Vernier) rockets, which give the vehicle a sufficiently large acceleration to position the propellant at the sump.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1766