calibrate
Set instrument accuracy
Calibrate means to adjust an instrument or device so that its readings conform to a known standard: The technician calibrated the scale using certified weights.
By extension, calibrate applies to any careful adjustment or fine-tuning: She calibrated her approach based on the audience's reactions.
A calibrated response is measured and proportional rather than reflexive.
Adjust for optimal performance
- tweakMinor adjustment
- adjustChange to fit better
- regulateControl by rules
- configureArrange for operation
set · correct · modify · reconfigure · dial-in · zero · tune · synchronize
Standard of measurement
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- thermometerHeat-measuring instrument
- meterDevice that measures usage
- sensorInput-detecting device
instrument · micrometer · spectrometer · oscilloscope · multimeter · transducer · barometer · altimeter
Standard for comparison
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- baselineStandard for comparison
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
traceability · certification · compliance · verification · validation · ISO · specification · documentation
Willingness to accept difference
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
specification · gradation · repeatability · deviation · margin · threshold · increment · error
fine-tune
Adjust for optimal performance
configure · set · correct · modify · reconfigure · dial-in · zero · tune · synchronize · compensate
gauge
Standard of measurement
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- thermometerHeat-measuring instrument
- meterDevice that measures usage
sensor · instrument · micrometer · spectrometer · oscilloscope · multimeter · transducer · barometer · altimeter · hygrometer
benchmark
Standard for comparison
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- baselineStandard for comparison
- standardLevel of quality accepted
protocol · traceability · certification · compliance · verification · validation · ISO · specification · documentation · audit
tolerance
Willingness to accept difference
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
sensitivity · specification · gradation · repeatability · deviation · margin · threshold · increment · error · variance
optics
Science of illumination
- laserConcentrated light device
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
mirror · antenna · gyroscope · collimation · sight · scope · reticle · interferometer · sextant · level
pitch
Frequency of sound
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
tone · temperament · interval · octave · harmonics · cent · sharp · flat
- adaptadapt, adjust, acclimate, accommodate, accustom
- adjustmentsadjustment, tweaks, adjust, shifts, fixes
- efficiencyoptimization, efficient, streamlining, effective, optimize
- clock actionsset alarm, snooze, synchronize, keep time, spring forward
- fixesfix, repair, mend, correction, correct
- settingssetting, default, settings, template, configure
calibrateguess
Estimate without certainty
approximate · eyeball · guesstimate · wing it · ballpark
- color calibrationAdjusting display accuracy
calibration, calibrated, calibrating, recalibrate, recalibrating, calibrates, recalibration, recalibrated, calibrations