CALIBER-Compasses, a sort of compasses made with arched legs to take the diameter of round or swelling bodies. See COMPASSES.
Caliber-compasses, are chiefly used by gunners, for taking the diameters of the several parts of a piece of ordnance, or of bombs, bullets, &c. Their legs are therefore circular; and move on an arch of brass, whereon is marked the inches and half inches, to show how far the points of the compasses are opened afunder.
Some are also made for taking the diameter of the bore of a gun or mortar.
The gaugers also sometimes use calibers, to embrace the two heads of any cask, in order to find its length.
The calibers used by carpenters and joiners, is a piece of board notched triangular-wise in the middle for the taking of measure.