taper
taper Lexical Profile
taper Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To become or cause to become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
"The stone spire tapers gracefully toward a bronze weathervane at the top."
To diminish or reduce gradually in amount, degree, or intensity (often followed by 'off').
"The heavy rain finally began to taper off by late afternoon."
• noun
A gradual narrowing or diminution of thickness, width, or diameter in an elongated object.
"The furniture maker shaped the table legs with a subtle taper toward the floor."
A gradual reduction in the amount, intensity, or frequency of something, such as athletic training before a race, a medication dosage, or economic stimulus.
"The marathon coach scheduled a two-week taper so the runners would be fully rested on race day."
A very slender candle, or a long waxed wick used for lighting candles, lamps, or fires.
"The sacristan used a long brass-held taper to light the high altar candles before the evening service."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with the homophone 'tapir', which refers to a large, herbivorous mammal with a short, flexible proboscis.
• Rhymes for taper
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'tapor', meaning a lamp wick or small candle, possibly borrowed viafolk Latin from Latin 'papyrus' (rush, papyrus), which was historically used to make candle wicks. The verb and geometric sense of narrowing gradually developed in the 16th century from the characteristic conical shape of a traditional dipped candle.