taper

Etymology 1

From Middle English taper, from Old English tapor (“taper, candle, wick of a lamp”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latin papyrus (“papyrus", used in Mediaeval times to mean "wick of a candle”). If so, it is a doublet of papyrus and paper. Alternatively, of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper”), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch”); further compare Sanskrit तपती (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat, is hot; (it) heats”). More at tepid.

noun

1. A slender wax candle.
   He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. August 13, 1813, Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Isaac McPherson
   Love used to carry a bow, you know, But now he carries a taper; It is either a length of wax aglow, Or a twist of lighted paper. 1913, Paul Laurence Dunbar, The Change
2. (by extension) A small light.
3. A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness and/or cross section in an elongated object.
   the taper of a spire
   The legs of the table had a slight taper to them.
   Her hair hangs over her ears and flows to a taper at the back of her neck where it is held in place with a wide and circular black clasp. 2005, Michael Ellis, Apollo Rises, page 15
4. A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.
5. A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge (piercing).

verb

1. (transitive) To make thinner or narrower at one end.
2. (intransitive) To become thinner or narrower at one end.
3. (intransitive) To diminish gradually.
4. (intransitive) (of a central bank) To tighten monetary policy.

adj

1. Tapered; narrowing to a point.

Etymology 2

tape + -er

noun

1. (weaving) One who operates a tape machine.
2. Someone who works with tape or tapes.