51Թ

Advertisement

View synonyms for

taper

1

[ tey-per ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to become smaller or thinner toward one end.
  2. to grow gradually lean.


verb (used with object)

  1. to make gradually smaller toward one end.
  2. to reduce gradually.

noun

  1. gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.
  2. gradual decrease of force, capacity, etc.
  3. anything having a tapering form, as a spire or obelisk.
  4. a candle, especially a very slender one.
  5. a long wick coated with wax, tallow, or the like, as for use in lighting candles or gas.

verb phrase

    1. to become gradually more slender toward one end.
    2. to cease by degrees; decrease; diminish:

      The storm is beginning to taper off now.

      I haven't stopped smoking entirely, but I'm tapering off to three cigarettes a day.

taper

2

[ tey-per ]

noun

  1. a person who records or edits magnetic tape, videotape, etc.

taper

/ ˈٱɪə /

verb

  1. to become or cause to become narrower towards one end

    the spire tapers to a point

  2. often foll by off to become or cause to become smaller or less significant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a thin candle
  2. a thin wooden or waxed strip for transferring a flame; spill
  3. a narrowing
  4. engineering (in conical parts) the amount of variation in the diameter per unit of length
  5. any feeble source of light
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈٲ, noun
  • ˈٲԲ, adjective
  • ˈٲԲly, adverb
Discover More

Other 51Թ Forms

  • ٲ·· noun
  • ٲ··Բ· adverb
  • ܲ·ٲ··Բ adjective
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of taper1

First recorded before 900; from Middle English: “wax candle,” from Old English, variant of tapur, dissimilated variant of unattested papur paper

Origin of taper2

First recorded in 1980–85; tape + -er 1
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of taper1

Old English tapor, probably from Latin 貹ӯܲ papyrus (from its use as a wick)
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The rest of the lumber is rounded into a more tapered shape at the end.

From

In his own swing, Muncy noted, he typically hits the ball closer to the end of the bat; a place where, on the torpedo design, the barrel tapers off.

From

Bats used in those rec leagues — while metal — feature lengthy barrels that taper at the end, looking a bit like a bowling pin.

From

“And then it will taper off and be very, very light across east county in the morning and done by late afternoon tomorrow.”

From

Gaynor’s dream of saving his daughter had tapered into determination to stop the disease’s progression and preserve the strength she had left.

From

Advertisement

Related 51Թs

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement