taper

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to gradually become narrower toward one end; also a slender candle

   The spire tapers to a fine point above the rooftops.

Simplified etymology

Taper was an Old English name for a wax candle, ultimately derived, with a change from p to t, from Latin papyrus, whose pith was used for candle wicks. In the 16th century the verb first described rising like a flame, then developed the sense of narrowing gradually from a broad base to a point.

From Old English tapur, tapor ('a wax candle'), perhaps an alteration of Latin papyrus (the pith of which was used as a candle wick). The verb sense 'to grow narrow' arose from the shape of a candle.

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