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.

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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