shims
Thin leveling pieces
Shims are thin pieces of material—wood, metal, plastic—used to fill gaps or level surfaces.
A carpenter shims a door frame to make it plumb; a mechanic shims an engine component for proper clearance.
In computing, a shim is a small piece of code that intercepts and modifies calls between programs, often for compatibility: The shim lets legacy software run on the new system.
Spacer ring for fasteners
- gasketMechanical leak preventer
- spacerDevice maintaining separation
- packingPutting items in containers
- fillerSubstance closing gaps
insert · clearance · gap · thickness · tolerance · fitting · buffer · liner
Structural or contextual shaping
- carpentryWood construction trade
- levelingMaking flat or equal
- subfloorBase beneath finished flooring
- joistHorizontal structural beam
decking · door frame · window frame · cabinet · drywall · flooring · roofing · siding
Narrow gradually toward point
insert · drive · force · keystone · incline · slope · wedge-shaped · jimmy
Adjusting tire angles
- engineMachine producing motion
- transmissionSending of information
- differentialRelative difference between things
- bearingPosture or orientation
axle · hub · rotor · caliper · vibration · noise reduction · torque · suspension
Cross-platform functional harmony
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- polyfillCode mimicking missing features
- wrapperOuter protective layer
- adapterDevice enabling equipment compatibility
legacy · API · library · browser · JavaScript · backward-compatible · interface · abstraction
washer
Spacer ring for fasteners
- gasketMechanical leak preventer
- spacerDevice maintaining separation
- packingPutting items in containers
filler · insert · clearance · gap · thickness · tolerance · fitting · buffer · liner · bushing
framing
Structural or contextual shaping
joist · decking · door frame · window frame · cabinet · drywall · flooring · roofing · siding · renovation
taper
Narrow gradually toward point
pry · insert · drive · force · keystone · incline · slope · wedge-shaped · jimmy · split
wheel alignment
Adjusting tire angles
- engineMachine producing motion
- transmissionSending of information
- differentialRelative difference between things
bearing · axle · hub · rotor · caliper · vibration · noise reduction · torque · suspension
interoperability
Cross-platform functional harmony
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
- polyfillCode mimicking missing features
- wrapperOuter protective layer
adapter · legacy · API · library · browser · JavaScript · backward-compatible · interface · abstraction · middleware
- carpentry toolsframing square, carpenter's square, circular saw, claw hammer, tape measure
- supportsscaffolding, shoring, bracing, props, jacks
- lockpickinglock pick, lock picks, lockpick, picks, pick
- machinist supplieschucks, vises, vise, clamps, drill bits
- shaft alignmentmisalignment, alignment charts
- valvetraincamshaft, camshafts, valve, rocker arm, rocker arms
shimscolumns
Upright structural shafts
pillars · girders · foundations · foundation · joists
- heat shimmerOptical distortion from warmth
shimmer, shimmering, shimmered, shim, shimmies, shimmied, shimming, shimmed