taper
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L28418 on Wikidata ↗verb
- to diminish or reduce gradually
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈteɪpə/ / /ˈteɪpɚ/
adj
Etymology: 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”). If so, it is a doublet of papyrus. Alternatively, of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper”), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch”); further compare Sanskrit तपती (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat, is hot; (it) heats”). More at tepid. First attested before the 12th c.
- Tapered; narrowing to a point.
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree English tape English -er English taper From tape + -er.
- One who operates a tape machine.
- Someone who works with tape or tapes.
verb
Etymology: 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”). If so, it is a doublet of papyrus. Alternatively, of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper”), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch”); further compare Sanskrit तपती (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat, is hot; (it) heats”). More at tepid. First attested before the 12th c.
- To make thinner or narrower at one end.
“Though true cylinders without — within, the villainous green goggling glasses deceitfully tapered downwards to a cheating bottom.”
- To become thinner or narrower at one end.
“Like other supertall towers, 432 Park relies on the counterweight system to address the forces of wind and reduce the feeling of swaying for residents. But unlike many other supertall towers that are tiered or taper toward the top, 432 Park is rectangular, making it less aerodynamic.”
- To diminish gradually.
“Current major clinical practice guidelines provide little support for clinicians wishing to help patients discontinue or taper antidepressants in terms of mitigating and managing withdrawal symptoms.”
- To tighten monetary policy.