taper

/ˈteɪpər/

/ˈteɪpə/

Other forms: tapering; tapers; tapered

To taper is to gradually grow smaller or more narrow or less intense. Taper is often used with the word "off." Part of the power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is how the two walls appear to taper off into infinity.

As a verb, taper can refer not just to physical objects that narrow: the weather forecast might call for heavy snow that will taper off at the end of the day, and public interest in a political scandal might taper off over time. As a noun, taper refers to a shape that narrows at one end, and it's also another word for a candle that is smaller at one end than the other. "Narrow candle" is the original meaning of the word, and it seems to derive from the Latin papyrus, which was once used to make candle wicks.

Definitions of taper

1. verb

   diminish gradually
   “Interested tapered off”

   type of:

   decrease, diminish, fall, lessen

   decrease in size, extent, or range
2. verb

   give a point to
   “The candles are tapered”

   synonyms: point, sharpen

   types:

   acuminate

   make sharp or acute; taper; make (something) come to a point

   type of:

   change form, change shape, deform

   assume a different shape or form
3. noun

   a convex shape that narrows toward a point
   type of:

   convex shape, convexity

   a shape that curves or bulges outward
4. noun

   the property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
   types:

   point, pointedness

   the property of a shape that tapers to a sharp tip

   unpointedness

   the property of having only a dull tip (if any)

   type of:

   narrowing

   an instance of becoming narrow
5. noun

   a loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
   synonyms: wick

   types:

   candlewick

   the wick of a candle

   type of:

   cord

   a line made of twisted fibers or threads
6. noun

   stick of wax with a wick in the middle
   synonyms: candle, wax light

   types:

   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

   type of:

   lamp

   an artificial source of visible illumination