taper etymology

Etymology

  • Late Latin: taperium ("taper")
  • Old French: taper ("to tap")
  • Latin: tappare ("to plug")

Meaning

  • A long, thin candle with a pointed end that is used for lighting.
  • To become gradually narrower towards one end.

Origin

The word "taper" originated from the Latin word "tappare," which means "to plug." This is because the early tapers were made by rolling a wick in a thin sheet of wax and then plugging the bottom end to create a shape that would not drip.

Over time, the word "taper" came to be used not only for the candle itself but also for the shape of the candle. A taper is now defined as a long, thin candle with a pointed end that is used for lighting. The word can also be used as a verb to describe the process of gradually narrowing something towards one end.

taper relate terms

  • papyrus

    Etymology The word papyrus comes from the ancient Greek word πάπυρος papyros

  • tapinage

    Etymology The word tapinage comes from the French verb taper which means to tap or

  • taper

    Etymology Late Latin taperium taper Old French taper to tap Latin tappare t

  • sharpen

    Etymology of sharpen The word sharpen comes from the Old English word scearpian w

  • point

    Etymology The word point comes from the Latin word punctum which means a prick a d

  • candle

    Etymology The word candle derives from the Latin word candela meaning candle torch

  • pinot

    Etymology The etymology of the word pinot is uncertain but there are several theories

  • wick

    Etymology The word wick comes from the Old English word wice which in turn comes fr

  • diminish

    Etymology Old French demenische Medieval Latin deminuo Latin deminuere de remove

  • decrease

    Etymology Middle English decressen from Old French decroistre from Late Latin decr

  • fall

    Etymology Middle English fallen Old English feallan Proto Germanic fallaną Meani

  • lamp

    Etymology The word lamp comes from the Greek word λάμπω lampō meaning to sh