Definition of "taper" in English

noun

1. A slender wax candle.

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.

4. The portion of an object with such a form.

   • ensuring the cleanliness of the taper of a machine tool spindle or of a tool shank

5. (machining) Ellipsis of machine taper.

6. A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.

7. A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge (piercing).

8. (figurative) Gradual reduction over time.

   • a drug taper

verb

1. (transitive) To make thinner or narrower at one end.

2. (intransitive) To become thinner or narrower at one end.

3. (ambitransitive) To diminish gradually.

4. (intransitive, finance, of a central bank) To tighten monetary policy.

adjective

1. Tapered; narrowing to a point.

noun

1. (weaving) One who operates a tape machine.

2. Someone who works with tape or tapes.