01 n. The diameter of the bore, as a cannon or other firearm, or of any tube; or the weight or size of the projectile which a firearm will carry;…
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1.
The diameter of the bore, as a cannon or other firearm, or of any tube; or the weight or size of the projectile which a firearm will carry; as, an 8 inch gun, a 12-pounder, a 44 caliber.(Gunnery)“The caliber of empty tubes.” — Reid.“A battery composed of three guns of small caliber.” — Prescott.
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2.
The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet or column.
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3.
Fig.: Capacity or compass of mind.
Phrases & compounds
Caliber compasses —
See Calipers.
Caliber rule —
a gunner's calipers, an instrument having two scales arranged to determine a ball's weight from its diameter, and conversely.
A ship's caliber —
the weight of her armament.