Main Entry:

¹ta·per

Pronunciation:

\ˈtā-pər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English tapor candle, wick, perhaps modification of Latin papyrus papyrus

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a slender candle b: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting candles, lamps, pipes, or fires c: a feeble light2 a: a tapering form or figure b: gradual diminution of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object c: a gradual decrease