I. ˈkāpə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: back-formation from earlier capers, taken as a plural, from Middle English caperis, capres, from Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis
1. : a plant of the genus Capparis ; especially : a low prickly shrub ( C. spinosa ) of the Mediterranean region cultivated in Europe for its buds — see capparis
2. capers plural : the greenish flower buds and young berries of the caper plant pickled and used as a condiment in sauces and dressings
3. : a marsh marigold ( Caltha palustris )
II. intransitive verb
( capered ; capered ; capering -p(ə)riŋ ; capers )
Etymology: probably by shortening & alteration from capriole
: to leap about, prance, or cavort in a gay frolicsome way : prance, frisk, or gambol playfully or wildly
lambs capering in the meadow
capering like a witch doctor among African natives — Geoffrey Household
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably by shortening & alteration from capriole
1.
a. : a gay unrestrained bounding leap : skip , jump
the skip of the lamb and the caper of the kid — Douglas Kennedy
b. : a leaping or cavorting dance motion
the couples jigging in from opposite corners, performing capers and shuffles — H.L.Davis
2.
a. : a capricious or madcap escapade : prank , antic
lead in all kinds of pranks and capers — W.A.White
b. : performance , activity , pursuit
3. slang : an illegal or questionable escapade : criminal action : crime
an improbable jewel robbery called a caper in the jungle patois — Robert Hatch
4. : three quick jumps in morris dancing followed by a leap with one leg forward and the other back
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Dutch kaper, from kapen to privateer, from kaap privateering, probably from Frisian, from Old Frisian kāp trade; akin to Old High German kouf trade — more at cheap
1. archaic : privateer
2. archaic : pirate
V. ˈkāpər, -ˈä- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Scottish Gaelic ceapaire, probably from ceap shoemaker's last, clog on an animal's foot, pair of stocks, akin to Middle Irish cepp block, from Latin cippus stake, post — more at cepe
chiefly Scotland : a piece of buttered bread usually with cheese on it