TAPER
Dictionary entry overview: What does taper mean?
• TAPER (noun)
The noun TAPER has 4 senses:
1. a convex shape that narrows toward a point
2. the property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
3. a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
4. stick of wax with a wick in the middle
Familiarity information: TAPER used as a noun is uncommon.
• TAPER (verb)
The verb TAPER has 2 senses:
1. diminish gradually
2. give a point to
Familiarity information: TAPER used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• TAPER (noun)
Meaning:
A convex shape that narrows toward a point
Classified under:
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes
Hypernyms ("taper" is a kind of...):
convex shape; convexity (a shape that curves or bulges outward)
Meaning:
The property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("taper" is a kind of...):
narrowing (an instance of becoming narrow)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "taper"):
point; pointedness (the property of a shape that tapers to a sharp tip)
unpointedness (the property of having only a dull tip (if any))
Meaning:
A loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
wick; taper
Hypernyms ("taper" is a kind of...):
cord (a line made of twisted fibers or threads)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "taper"):
candlewick (the wick of a candle)
Holonyms ("taper" is a part of...):
candle; taper; wax light (stick of wax with a wick in the middle)
kerosene lamp; kerosine lamp; oil lamp (a lamp that burns oil (as kerosine) for light)
Meaning:
Stick of wax with a wick in the middle
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
candle; wax light; taper
Hypernyms ("taper" is a kind of...):
lamp (an artificial source of visible illumination)
Meronyms (parts of "taper"):
candlewick (the wick of a candle)
taper; wick (a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "taper"):
chandlery (candles and other commodities sold by a chandler)
dip (a candle that is made by repeated dipping in a pool of wax or tallow)
rush candle; rushlight (a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wick)
vigil candle; vigil light (a candle lighted by a worshiper in a church)
• TAPER (verb)
Meaning:
Diminish gradually
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
Interested tapered off
Hypernyms (to "taper" is one way to...):
decrease; diminish; fall; lessen (decrease in size, extent, or range)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Give a point to
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
taper; sharpen; point
Context example:
The candles are tapered
Hypernyms (to "taper" is one way to...):
change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "taper"):
acuminate (make sharp or acute; taper; make (something) come to a point)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Also:
taper off (become smaller or less active)
taper off (end weakly)
