Taper
/ˈteɪ.pər/noun
To become gradually narrower toward one end, or a slender candle or light source.
Did you know?The candle sense of *taper* is older than the verb sense, and both trace back to the idea of something slender and pointed rather than to any occult symbol.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dā- / *dē-
“A debated ancient root connected by scholars to notions of burning, shining, or giving light in the history of related words.”
Late Latin
Latin
tāpa
“A taper, especially a slender candle.”
Old French
Old French
taper
“A taper; a slender candle or light.”
Middle English
English
taper
“A slender candle; later, to become gradually thinner or to narrow.”
Modern English
English
taper
“To narrow gradually, or a slender candle used for lighting.”