I. ˈvər-nē-ər noun
Etymology: Pierre Vernier
Date: 1766
1. : a short scale made to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument for indicating parts of divisions
2.
a. : a small auxiliary device used with a main device to obtain fine adjustment
b. : any of two or more small supplementary rocket engines or gas nozzles on a missile or a rocket vehicle for making fine adjustments in the speed or course or controlling the attitude — called also vernier engine
II. adjective
Date: 1788
: having or comprising a vernier