ver·ni·er
ˈvər-nē-ər 
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
: having or comprising a vernier
Examples of vernier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Euan McKirdy, CNN, 16 May 2017
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
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Noun
The engine design features a large central engine surrounded by four vernier thrusters, which swivel round a point to precisely correct the rocket's attitude.
—Euan McKirdy, CNN, 16 May 2017
Adjective
The issue is that vernier thrusters on the Soyuz boosters and in the de-orbit engines of the Soyuz-MS spacecraft use a special grade of highly refined hydrogen peroxide.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near vernier
Cite this Entry
“Vernier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vernier. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
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