n.
Pronunciation: ' v ə r-n ē - ə r
Function: 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