ta·per
(t
p
r)
KEY
NOUN:
- A small or very slender candle.
- A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps.
- A source of feeble light.
-
- A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object.
- A gradual decrease, as in action or force.
VERB:
ta·pered
,
ta·per·ing
,
ta·pers
VERB:
intr.
- To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
- To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off:
The storm finally tapered off.
VERB:
tr.
- To make thinner or narrower at one end.
- To make smaller gradually.
ADJECTIVE:
- Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English
tapor, possibly ultimately from Latin
papyrus,
papyrus (sometimes used for candlewicks) ; see
paper
OTHER FORMS:
taper·ing·ly
(Adverb)
