/verr"nee euhr/ , n.
1. Also, vernier scale . a small, movable, graduated scale running parallel to the fixed graduated scale of a sextant, theodolite, barometer, etc., and used for measuring a fractional part of one of the divisions of the fixed scale. See illus. under sextant .
2. Mach. an auxiliary device for giving a piece of apparatus a higher adjustment accuracy.
adj.
3. equipped with a vernier: a vernier barometer.
[ 1760-70; named after P. VERNIER ]