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caper - 11 dictionary results
ca⋅per
1
[key-per] 
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | to leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance; frisk; gambol. |
–noun
—Idiom| 2. | a playful leap or skip. |
| 3. | a prank or trick; harebrained escapade. |
| 4. | a frivolous, carefree episode or activity. |
| 5. | Slang. a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery. |
| 6. | cut a caper. cut (def. 80a). |
Origin:
1585–95; fig. use of L caper he-goat (c. OE hæfer, ON hafr, OIr caera sheep < a West IE term *kap-(e)ro- for a domesticated smaller animal); for the meaning, cf. dog (v.)
1585–95; fig. use of L caper he-goat (c. OE hæfer, ON hafr, OIr caera sheep < a West IE term *kap-(e)ro- for a domesticated smaller animal); for the meaning, cf. dog (v.)
Related forms:
ca⋅per⋅er, noun
ca⋅per⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
3. stunt, antic, shenanigans. 4. spree, frolic.
3. stunt, antic, shenanigans. 4. spree, frolic.
ca⋅per
2 [key-per] –noun
| 1. | a spiny shrub, Capparis spinosa, of Mediterranean regions, having roundish leaves and solitary white flowers. |
| 2. | its flower bud, which is pickled and used for garnish or seasoning. |
Compare caper family.
Origin:
1350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for pl.), ME caperes < L capparis < Gk kápparis
1350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for pl.), ME caperes < L capparis < Gk kápparis
cape
2 [keyp] noun, verb, caped, cap⋅ing, adjective –noun
| 1. | a piece of land jutting into the sea or some other large body of water. |
| 2. | the Cape.
|
| 3. | capeskin. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. | Nautical. (of a ship) to have good steering qualities. |
–adjective
| 5. | (initial capital letter) pertaining to the Cape of Good Hope or to South Africa: a Cape diamond. |
Origin:
1350–1400; ME cap < MF < OPr < VL *capum for L caput head
1350–1400; ME cap < MF < OPr < VL *capum for L caput head
Synonyms:
1. point, promontory, headland, spit.
1. point, promontory, headland, spit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To caper
| ca·per 1 (kā'pər) n.
To leap or frisk about; frolic. [Alteration of capriole.] |
| ca·per 2 (kā'pər) n.
[Middle English caperis, capar, from Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Caper
Ca"per\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Capered p. pr. & vb. n. capering.] [From older capreoll to caper, cf. F. se cabrer to prance; all ultimately fr. L. caper, capra, goat. See Capriole.] To leap or jump about in a sprightly manner; to cut capers; to skip; to spring; to prance; to dance. He capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth. --Shak.Caper
Ca"per\, n. A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or dancing; a prank. To cut a caper, to frolic; to make a sportive spring; to play a prank. --Shak.Caper
Ca"per\, n. [D. kaper.] A vessel formerly used by the Dutch, privateer. --Wright.Caper
Ca"per\, n. [F. c[^a]pre, fr. L. capparis, Gr. ?; cf. Ar. & Per. al-kabar.]1. The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), much used for pickles. 2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Capparis; -- called also caper bush, caper tree. Note: The Capparis spinosa is a low prickly shrub of the Mediterranean coasts, with trailing branches and brilliant flowers; -- cultivated in the south of Europe for its buds. The C. sodada is an almost leafless spiny shrub of central Africa (Soudan), Arabia, and southern India, with edible berries. Bean caper. See Bran caper, in the Vocabulary. Caper sauce, a kind of sauce or catchup made of capers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : caper
Spanish:
juguetear, brincar,
German:
Luftsprünge machen,
Japanese:
はね回る
caper (v.)
1588, probably from It. capriolare "jump in the air" (see cab). Meaning "prank" is from 1840s; that of "crime" is from 1926. To cut capers is 1601.
caper (n.)
1382, from L. capparis, from Gk. kapparis, of uncertain origin. The final -s was mistaken for pl. inflection in Eng. and dropped.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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