noun
or cal·i·bre ˈkaləbə(r), Brit also kəˈlēb-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French calibre, from Old Italian calibro, from Arabic qālib shoemaker's last, probably from Greek kalapous, from kalon wood (from kaiein to burn) + pous foot — more at caustic , foot
1.
a. : the bore diameter of the barrel of a weapon (as a firearm) measured in rifled arms from land to land — compare land diameter
b. : the diameter of the projectile fired from such a weapon
c. : the land-to-land diameter of the bore of a piece of ordnance used as a unit of measurement for stating the length of the tube of the piece — now used only of naval and coastal defense guns
a 3″/50 gun is 3″ in bore and 50 calibers or 150″ long
2. : the diameter of a round or cylindrical body ; especially : the internal diameter of a tube or hollow cylinder
3. obsolete : degree of importance or station in society : rank
4.
a. : degree in personal qualities (as mental capacity or breadth of knowledge) or moral qualities
a man of high intellectual caliber
b. : degree of excellence or importance : quality
the caliber of instruction
5. : the model number given to a watch movement by the factory
Synonyms: see quality