calibre

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cal=i=bre

CIDE DICTIONARY

calibre, n. [F. calibre, perh. fr. L. qualibra of what pound, of what weight; hence, of what size, applied first to a ball or bullet; cf. also Ar. qālib model, mold. Cf. Calipers, Calivere.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  " The caliber of firearms is expressed in various ways. Cannon are often designated by the weight of a solid spherical shot that will fit the bore; as, a 12-pounder; pieces of ordnance that project shell or hollow shot are designated by the diameter of their bore; as, a 12 inch mortar or a 14 inch shell gun; small arms are designated by hundredths of an inch expressed decimally; as, a rifle of .44 inch caliber."  [1913 Webster]

  "The caliber of empty tubes."  [1913 Webster]

  "A battery composed of three guns of small caliber."  [1913 Webster]
•  The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet or column.  [1913 Webster]
•  Fig.: Capacity or compass of mind.  Burke.  [1913 Webster]

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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

calibre, n. (US caliber)
1 a the internal diameter of a gun or tube. b the diameter of a bullet or shell.
2 strength or quality of character; ability, importance (we need someone of your calibre).

Derivative

calibred adj. (also in comb.).

Etymology

F calibre or It. calibro, f. Arab. kalib mould