Link Centre Dictionary

taper

ta·per

UK/ˈteɪpə/ US/ˈteɪpɚ/ rare
verb (2) noun (4)

verb

1.

diminish gradually

  • “Interested tapered off”
2.

give a point to

  • “The candles are tapered”
Synonyms

noun

1.

a convex shape that narrows toward a point

2.

the property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)

3.

a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame

Synonyms
4.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English taper, from Old English tapor (“taper, candle, wick of a lamp”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latin papyrus (“papyrus", used in Mediaeval times to mean "wick of a candle”); If so, it is a doublet of papyrus; but compare Old French taper (“taper, slender candle or light”). Alternatively, of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper”), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch”); further compare Sanskrit तपती (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat, is hot; (it) heats”). More at tepid. First attested before the 12th c.

Phrases

  • critical taper
  • high taper
  • Luer taper
  • machine taper
  • Morse taper
  • taper candle
  • taper fade
  • taper off
  • taper pin

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

See also

Parts

Part of

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.