eichen
calibrate
Definition & meaning
eichen is a German verb meaning to calibrate, to gauge, or to officially verify the accuracy of a measuring instrument.
It is used when an instrument is compared with an official standard and adjusted or certified if necessary:
- ein Thermometer eichen — to calibrate a thermometer
- eine Waage eichen — to officially verify a scale
- Das Messgerät muss regelmäßig geeicht werden. — The measuring device must be calibrated regularly.
In a broader, figurative sense, eichen can mean to condition, train, or attune someone or something to a particular standard or purpose:
- auf Genauigkeit geeicht sein — to be highly attuned to accuracy
- jemanden auf Wettbewerb eichen — to condition or prepare someone for competition
Grammar & Word origin
eichen is a regular, separable? No, it is a regular inseparable? Actually prefix? Simple verb, regular.
- Infinitive: eichen
- Present tense: ich eiche, du eichst, er/sie/es eicht
- Simple past: eichte
- Past participle: geeicht
- Auxiliary verb: haben
The related noun is die Eichung , meaning calibration or official verification. The stem Eich- is connected with das Eichmaß , an official standard of measurement. It is not derived from die Eiche , meaning “oak tree.”
The nominalized infinitive das Eichen means “calibrating” or “the process of calibration.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- kalibrieren — to calibrate; generally used for adjusting or determining the accuracy of technical instruments. Unlike eichen, it does not necessarily imply official legal certification.
- justieren — to adjust precisely; focuses on technical adjustment rather than official verification.
- prüfen — to check or test; broader than eichen and not necessarily involving adjustment or an official standard.
- amtlich überprüfen — to officially inspect; emphasizes the official nature of the process.
Antonyms
There is no single exact everyday antonym. Depending on the context, possible opposites include:
- dejustieren — to knock out of adjustment or make inaccurately adjusted.
- verstellen — to alter an instrument’s setting, often so that it no longer measures correctly.
- entkalibrieren — to cause an instrument to lose its calibration; this is a technical and relatively uncommon term.
Common phrases & collocations
- ein Messgerät eichen — to calibrate a measuring device
- eine Waage eichen — to officially verify a scale
- ein geeichtes Gerät — a calibrated or officially verified device
- amtlich geeicht — officially calibrated and certified
- auf etwas geeicht sein — to be attuned or conditioned to something
- die Eichung eines Messgeräts — the calibration or official verification of a measuring device
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Examples
Der Techniker muss die Waage neu eichen.verb
The technician must recalibrate the scale.
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