(v) make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring, Syn. fine-tune, graduate, Example:calibrate an instrument; graduate a cylinder
(v) mark (the scale of a measuring instrument) so that it can be read in the desired units, Example:he calibrated the thermometer for the Celsius scale
v. i. To ascertain the caliber of, as of a thermometer tube; also, more generally, to determine or rectify the graduation of, as of the various standards or graduated instruments. [ 1913 Webster ]