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   taper

   /ˈteɪpə/

   verb

   • 1. diminish or reduce in thickness towards one end: "the tail tapers to a rounded tip" Similar narrowthin (out)become narrowbecome narrowerbecome thinbecome thinnercome to a pointattenuateOpposite thickenswell
   • ▪ gradually lessen: "the impact of the dollar's depreciation started to taper off" Similar decreaselessendwindlediminishreducesubsidedeclinedie offdie awaydie downfadepeter outwaneebbabatewind downslacken (off)fall offdrop offtrail off/awaylet upthin outweakenwiltslumpplummetfall off a cliffOpposite increase

   noun

   • 1. a slender candle: "he lit the tapers in the silver candelabra"
   • ▪ a wick coated with wax, used for conveying a flame.
   • 2. a gradual narrowing: "the strong taper of her back"
   • ▪ a gradual or incremental reduction: "with the taper in training, athletes can feel less hungry"

   Word Origin Old English (denoting any wax candle), dissimilated form (by alteration of p- to t-) of Latin papyrus (see papyrus), the pith of which was used for candle wicks.

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • P

     3

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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