Taper Definition

tāpər
tapered, tapering, tapers
noun
tapers
A wax candle, esp. a long, slender one.
Webster's New World
A long wick coated with wax, used for lighting candles, lamps, etc.
Webster's New World
Any feeble light.
Webster's New World
A gradual decrease in width or thickness.
The taper of a pyramid.
Webster's New World
A gradual decrease in action, power, etc.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
tapered, tapering, tapers
To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
American Heritage
To lessen; diminish.
Webster's New World
To decrease gradually in width or thickness.
Webster's New World

To make thinner or narrower at one end.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
adjective
Gradually decreased in breadth or thickness toward one end.
Webster's New World
idiom
taper off
  • to become smaller gradually toward one end
  • to diminish or stop gradually
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Taper

Noun

Singular:
taper
Plural:
tapers

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Taper

Origin of Taper

  • 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"), or of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper"), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch"). Compare Sanskrit [script?] (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat; to be hot; to heat"). More at tepid.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English tapor possibly ultimately from Latin papyrus papyrus (sometimes used for candlewicks) paper

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • tape +"Ž -er

    From Wiktionary

Taper Sentence Examples

  • The points should begin to taper 3 in.

  • The taper retards the motion of the water, which constantly decreases by overflow as it proceeds, whilst it continues to fill the feeder to the brim.

  • Behind that, two thin metal strips seem to be held together by a sash as they taper back to the ear.

  • Essentially, what that means is that the lenses are round, but they taper off into a slight point at the corner of the eyes.

  • The front of the style is reminiscent of a pair of classic Ray Banswhile the arms of the frame, unlike those of some other styles, taper off into a distinctly curved shape.

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Words Starting With

TTATAP

Words Ending With

RERPER

Unscrambles

taper

Words Starting With T and Ending With R

Starts With T & Ends With RStarts With TA & Ends With RStarts With T & Ends With ER

Word Length

5 Letter Words5 Letter Words Starting With T5 Letter Words Ending With R