I. ta·per ˈtā-pər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tapor candle, wick, perhaps modification of Latin papyrus papyrus
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a slender candle
b. : a long waxed wick used especially for lighting candles, lamps, pipes, or fires
c. : a feeble light
2.
a. : a tapering form or figure
b. : gradual diminution of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object
c. : a gradual decrease
II. taper adjective
Date: 15th century
1. : progressively narrowed toward one end
2. : furnished with or adjusted to a scale : graduated
taper freight rates
III. taper verb
( ta·pered ; ta·per·ing ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 1610
intransitive verb
1. : to become progressively smaller toward one end
2. : to diminish gradually
transitive verb
: to cause to taper
IV. tap·er ˈtā-pər noun
Etymology: tape (I)
Date: circa 1920
: one that applies or dispenses tape