calibrate
KAL-uh-brayt
/ˈkælɪbreɪt/
To mark (a measuring instrument) with a scale of readings; to correlate the readings of an instrument with those of a standard in order to check the instrument's accuracy.
Calibration ensures that an instrument provides accurate and reliable measurements, often by adjusting it against a known standard.
The story behind the word. The origin of 'calibrate' is a bit debated, but it likely comes from either the Arabic 'qalib,' meaning 'mold' or 'model,' or from the Latin phrase 'qua libra,' meaning 'by what balance.' Both suggest the idea of establishing a standard or a measure. Over time, it came to mean adjusting an instrument to match a known standard for accuracy.
Word relationships
- adjust: Adjust is a general term; calibrate specifically means to adjust for accuracy against a standard.
- standardize: Standardize means to make consistent with a standard; calibrate is the process of checking and adjusting an instrument to meet that standard.
Word family
- calibration (noun): The act or process of calibrating.
Collocations
- calibrate an instrument
- calibrate a scale
- regularly calibrate
- properly calibrated
Idioms & expressions
- calibrate one's expectations (figurative: adjust expectations to reality)
Example sentences
- "Before starting the experiment, it is crucial to calibrate the pH meter to ensure accurate readings." Laboratory maintenance
- "Every new thermometer must be calibrated against a reference standard before it can be used in production." Manufacturing quality control
Memory hook
To 'CALIBRATE' is to make sure the 'CAL'culations are 'BRATE' (great) and accurate. KAL-uh-brayt: adjust for accuracy
When not to use
Do not use 'calibrate' for general adjustments that don't involve a standard or a measuring scale (e.g., 'calibrate my mood').
Fun facts
- Even everyday devices like bathroom scales and car speedometers need to be calibrated to provide accurate readings.
- In metrology (the science of measurement), calibration is a fundamental process to ensure traceability to national and international standards.
Related words
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