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caper1 definition

ca·per (kā′pər)

intransitive verb

to skip or jump about in a playful manner; frisk; gambol

Etymology: prob. < capriole

noun

  1. a playful jump or leap
  2. a wild, foolish action or prank
  3. ☆ Slang a criminal plan or act, esp. a robbery
caper Idioms

cut a caper

or cut capers
to caper
caper2 definition

ca·per (kā′pər)

noun

    1. any of a genus (Capparis) of trees and shrubs of the caper family, esp. a prickly, trailing Mediterranean bush (C. spinosa) whose tiny, green flower buds are pickled and used to flavor sauces, etc.
    2. bean caper
  2. any of these buds

Etymology: ME capar, capres < L capparis < Gr kapparis

adjective

designating a family (Capparaceae) of dicotyledonous plants (order Capparales), including the bee plant and cleome

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

caper Synonyms

caper

n.

prank, trick, escapade; see joke 1.


caper

v.

frolic, gambol, cavort; see dance 2, play 1, 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

caper Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • chop: To make the butter, beat some chopped anchovies and chopped capers into butter and blend in a little lime juice and zest.

Adjective modifier

  • comic: The comic capers of the two secret agents from MAD magazine reappear in Beyond's Spy vs Spy.

Modifies a noun

  • sauce: In France a boiled veal tongue meal is served with caper sauce.

Modifying Another Word

  • about: On coming to the edge of a long stretch of forest, he stopped and capered about like a monkey.

Noun used with modifier

  • comedy: Let no-one say that these tricks only work in comedy action capers.
caper usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"caper." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/caper>

APA Style

caper. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/caper

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