4 entries under this word
n. [A-S. tapur, tapor, taper, Ir. tapar, W. tampyr, tampr.] 1. A small wax-candle; a small lighted wax-candle, or a small light. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius. Shak. 2. A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness in an elongated object; as, the taper of a spire.
a. [Supposed to be from the form of a taper.] Regularly narrowed toward the point; becoming small toward one end; conical; pyramidal; as, taper fingers.
v. i. [imp. & p. p. TAPERED; p. pr. & vb. n. TAPERING.] To diminish or become gradually smaller toward one end; as, a sugar loaf tapers toward one end.
v. t. 1. To make or cause to taper. 2. To illuminate with a taper or tapers. [Rare.]