ta·per
(tā́pər)
[Middle English, from Old English tapor, possibly ultimately from Latin papyrus, papyrus (sometimes used for candlewicks); see paper.]
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: -pered, -per·ing, -pers.
intransitive verb
- To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
- To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off : The storm finally tapered off.
transitive verb
- To make thinner or narrower at one end.
- To make smaller gradually.
adjective
- Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.
derivatives
- táper·ing·ly
- adverb