/ ˈkeɪpə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ usually pl. ] the small green flower bud of a Mediterranean bush, preserved in vinegar and used to flavour dishes and sauces
2.
( informal ) an activity, especially one that is illegal or dangerous :
A call to the police should put an end to their little caper.
3.
an amusing film / movie that contains a lot of action :
a British spy caper
4.
a short jumping or dancing movement :
He cut a little celebratory caper (= jumped or danced a few steps) in the middle of the road.
■ verb
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] ( formal ) to run or jump around in a happy and excited way
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WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 2 to 4 and verb late 16th cent.: abbreviation of capriole a leap in dancing .
noun sense 1 late Middle English : from French câpres or Latin capparis , from Greek kapparis ; later interpreted as plural, hence the loss of the final -s in the 16th cent.