1560s, "degree of merit or importance," a figurative use from Middle French calibre (late 15c.), apparently ultimately from Arabic qalib "a mold for casting." Arabic also used the word in the sense "mold for casting bullets," which is the oldest literal meaning in English. Meaning "inside diameter of a gun barrel" is attested from 1580s. Barnhart remarks that Spanish calibre, Italian calibro "appear too late to act as intermediate forms" between the Arabic word and the French.
例文
1. They ought to win with players of such high caliber .
彼らの選手の能力はこんなに高くて、勝つべきだ。
2.There is no other player even remotely approaching her caliber .
才能では、他の選手は彼女にはるかに及ばない。
3.We are always trying to improve the caliber of our schools.
学校のレベルを高めるために工夫してきました。
4.There are few workers left of her caliber .
彼女のようなスタッフはあまり残っていない。
5.The quality of his character and the caliber of his accomplishments produced a lasting influence.