calibration English · revision 1876

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1854}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌkæl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/, /ˌkæl.əˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/ ''(UK)''; /ˌkæl.əˈbɹeɪ.ʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|calibrate|-ation]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act or process of calibrating (1854 in Etymonline; circa 1859 in Merriam-Webster; 1871 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its sense follows ''calibrate'', which comes from the [[caliber|alt=calibre]] of a gun.^(Chambers 2008)^(Wiktionary) The process of checking or setting a measuring instrument against a standard gave its name also to the graduated marks on the instrument (1859 in the Historical Thesaurus for the lines on a scale).^(HTOED)^(SOED 2002)^(MW Collegiate) The Historical Thesaurus also lists its use in radio tuning from 1930.^(HTOED) In medicine and the laboratory it means standardizing an instrument or procedure.^(Stedman's)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1854 – first record in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+ * circa 1859 – Merriam-Webster's date.^(MW Collegiate)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1871 – first OED quotation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1930 – radio tuning (Historical Thesaurus).^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of [[calibrate|alt=calibrating]] an instrument or [[gauge]], or the state of being calibrated.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A set of [[graduation]]s that show values or positions on an instrument (usually plural).^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Chambers 2008)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[intercalibration]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calibrate]]

+ * [[caliber]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}