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tapering

 - 3 dictionary results

ta⋅per

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)
3. to make gradually smaller toward one end.
4. to reduce gradually.
–noun
5. gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.
6. gradual decrease of force, capacity, etc.
7. anything having a tapering form, as a spire or obelisk.
8. a candle, esp. a very slender one.
9. a long wick coated with wax, tallow, or the like, as for use in lighting candles or gas.
—Verb phrase
10. taper off,
a. to become gradually more slender toward one end.
b. 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.
Use tapering in a Sentence
Origin:
bef. 900; ME: wax candle, OE, var. of tapur, dissimilated var. of *papur paper

Related forms:
ta⋅per⋅er, noun
ta⋅per⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To tapering
ta·per   (tā'pər)   
n.  

  1. A small or very slender candle.

  2. A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps.

  3. A source of feeble light.

    1. A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object.

    2. A gradual decrease, as in action or force.

v.   ta·pered, ta·per·ing, ta·pers

v.   intr.

  1. To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.

  2. To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off: The storm finally tapered off.

v.   tr.

  1. To make thinner or narrower at one end.

  2. To make smaller gradually.

adj.  Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.

[Middle English, from Old English tapor, possibly ultimately from Latin papyrus, papyrus (sometimes used for candlewicks); see paper.]
ta'per·ing·ly adv.
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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Word Origin & History

taper  (n.)
O.E. tapur, taper "candle," not found outside Eng., possibly a dissimilated borrowing from L. papyrus (see papyrus), which was used in M.L. and some Romance languages for "wick of a candle" (e.g. It. papijo "wick"), since these often were made from the pith of papyrus. Cf. also Ger. kerze "candle," from O.H.G. charza, from L. charta, from Gk. khartes "papyrus, roll made from papyrus, wick made from pith of papyrus." The verb meaning "to shoot up like a flame or spire" is attested from 1589; sense of "gradually decrease in size, force, etc." first recorded 1610.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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