TAPER
What does "TAPER" mean?
To become gradually narrower toward one end, or to diminish over time.
Meanings
- To grow narrower toward one end. The candle tapers to a fine point.
- To gradually lessen or diminish (often 'taper off'). The applause tapered off as the lights came up.
- A slender candle or a wick coated with wax, used to light other candles. She lit the altar candles with a long taper.
- A gradual reduction, as in an athlete's training before a race. His pre-marathon taper began two weeks out. technical
Did you know?
- The verb 'to taper' was born from a candle: Old English 'tapor' meant a wick or candle, and only later did its narrowing shape lend its name to anything that grows thin toward the end.
Word origin
From Old English 'tapor', meaning 'candle, wick'; the verb sense 'to narrow' arose from the candle's tapering shape. The word may ultimately derive, by metathesis, from Latin 'papyrus' (papyrus being used for wicks).
Remember it
TAPER pictures a candle TAPED to a point - wide base, thin flame-end.
A little poem
The candle gives all
its body up to the wick,
thinning into light.
haiku
What it teaches
Endings rarely slam shut; most things end the way a candle does, narrowing into less and less.
Quick facts
What does TAPER mean?
To become gradually narrower toward one end, or to diminish over time.
Is TAPER a valid word?
Yes — TAPER is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is TAPER?
TAPER has 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Where does TAPER come from?
From Old English 'tapor', meaning 'candle, wick'; the verb sense 'to narrow' arose from the candle's tapering shape. The word may ultimately derive, by metathesis, from Latin 'papyrus' (papyrus being used for wicks).
What can TAPER teach us?
Endings rarely slam shut; most things end the way a candle does, narrowing into less and less.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.