ta·per (t  p r)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. 4. a. A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object. b. 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | tapering - the act of gradually lowering the size or amount; "the doctor prescribed the tapering of the dose" lowering - the act of causing to become less |
| Adj. | 1. | tapering - becoming gradually narrower; "long tapering fingers"; "trousers with tapered legs" narrow - not wide; "a narrow bridge"; "a narrow line across the page" |
| 2. | tapering - gradually decreasing until little remains decreasing - becoming less or smaller |
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